A Sterling dealer of plastic manufacturing equipment has been fined $23,000 by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection for hazardous waste violations.
Hunter Plastics was fined for violations including illegally transporting more than 175 gallons of waste oil without a proper license, neglecting to adequately label and store hazardous waste containers, and failing to register the company as an onsite waste oil generator, according to a Thursday press release from MassDEP.
The violations occurred at the company’s 100 Pratts Junction Road facility in Sterling during April 2024 and January 2025.
The firm buys and sells used plastics manufacturing machinery and auxiliary equipment, such as injection molding, metalworking, and thermoforming machines, according to the company’s website.
Ron Perkins, owner of Hunter Plastics, told WBJ that the company had purchased and installed a waste oil furnace 19 years ago, and at the time, was told by the seller that all necessary permits had been issued after an inspection by the town’s fire department.
“What we were not informed of, is that we needed to contact the DEP to apply for special permits and follow certain actions to become a “recycler” to burn [waste] oil and be complaint in the state of MA,” he said.
When reached out to by MassDEP, Perkins said the company stopped using the furnace immediately.
“We then registered with the DEP and immediately acted to be compliant and understand the laws of using a waste oil furnace,” he said. “Hunter Plastics has always been an eco-friendly company and has always aimed at doing things the right way, unfortunately lack of knowledge comes with a cost sometimes. In the end we are very respectful of the DEP for assisting us to be fully compliant now.”
Hunter Plastics agreed to pay a $23,000 penalty, with MassDEP suspending $10,000 if the firm complies with the terms of the regulator’s consent order. The dealer has already agreed to cease transporting hazardous waste materials.
“Hazardous waste regulations exist to protect people and the environment,” Stephen Spencer, acting director of the MassDEP Environmental Strike Force, said in the press release. “The improper transportation, storage, labeling, and disposal of hazardous waste could lead to serious environmental and public health risks.”
MassDEP’s latest fine comes after the agency charged a Leominster asbestos contractor and a plastics manufacturer a combined $75,000 for violating environmental safety regulations in July.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated to include statements from Hunter Plastics.
Mica Kanner-Mascolo is a staff writer at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the healthcare, manufacturing, and higher education industries.
