Senator Baldwin Statement on Container Life Cycle Management’s $1.65 Million Settlement and Required Facility Upgrades

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a settlement with Container Life Cycle Management LLC to address the company’s air emissions and waste management violations at its container reconditioning facilities in St. Francis and Oak Creek and a former site in Milwaukee. The settlement requires the company to upgrade its facilities that will protect workers and nearby residents.

“I welcome the news that Container Life Cycle Management is being held accountable for their actions and required to upgrade its facilities because protecting the health and wellness of workers, community members, and our environment is not just the right thing to do, it is the law,” said Senator Baldwin. “I am proud to have worked with workers and community members for the past five years to shine a light on these violations and bring justice to the community. Still, there is more work to be done. A recent EPA report highlights significant and ongoing problems at drum reconditioning facilities across the country, and I look forward to working with my colleagues and the Administration to help ensure laws and regulations protect workers and those who live nearby these facilities.”

For more than five years, Senator Baldwin has been advocating for workers and neighbors who have been put at risk due to the company’s violations of federal air and hazardous waste laws. At Senator Baldwin’s request, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Department of Transportation (DOT) opened investigations at the Container Life Cycle Management, owned by Greif, Inc. facilities in Wisconsin and have issued fines. Below are actions Senator Baldwin has taken to keep Wisconsinites safe:

• February 15, 2017 – Senator Baldwin and Congresswoman Gwen Moore’s Letter to the EPA calling for an investigation into the apparent violation of federal environmental protections.
• February 15, 2017 – Senator Baldwin and Congresswoman Gwen Moore’s letter to the DOT urging Secretary Chao to investigate the apparent violation of federal law that requires safe transportation of hazardous materials.
• February 15, 2017 – Senator Baldwin and Congresswoman Gwen Moore’s letter to OSHA calling on the agency to investigate the accounts of a hazardous and unsafe workplace that failed to protect workers from serious short-term hazards and long-term health impacts.
• May 1, 2017 – Senator Baldwin’s Letter to OSHA requesting that OSHA investigate Oak Creek and St. Francis, in addition to the Milwaukee facility.
• May 8, 2017 – Senator Baldwin and Congresswoman Gwen Moore’s letter to the DOT requesting that the investigation be shared when complete
• July 28, 2017 – Senator Baldwin’s letter to OSHA again requesting that OSHA investigates Oak Creek and St. Francis, citing OSHA inspection referral guidelines.
• September 5, 2017 – Senator Baldwin’s letter to OSHA urging OSHA to use all authorities in going after Greif, specifically those outlined in a DOJ/OSHA MOU.
• October 12, 2017 – Sens. Baldwin and Donnelly’s letter to EPA and OSHA imploring them to investigate Greif, Inc. at all sites nationwide.
• October 12, 2017 – Sens. Baldwin and Donnelly’s letter to EPA and OSHA imploring them to investigate Greif, Inc. at all sites nationwide.
• August 4, 2022 – Senator Baldwin’s letter to EPA requesting an update on the investigation.

An online version of this release is available here.