Hazardous Waste Cleanup: The Procter and Gamble Paper Products Company in Mechoopany, Pennsylvania
On this page:
- Cleanup Status
- Site Description
- Contaminants at this Facility
- Institutional/Engineer Controls
- Land Reuse
- Site Responsibility
Cleanup Status
The facility has completed the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) corrective action requirements and a Statement of Basis has been completed and a public notice has been issued by EPA. The Agency has determined, based on available information, that there are no unaddressed releases of hazardous waste or hazardous constituents from the facility. On September 14, 2015 , the EPA issued a Corrective Action Final Decision that Corrective Actions are complete without controls.
The Environmental Indicators were completed on September 1999. The two environmental indicators (EIs) are called “Current Human Exposures Under Control” and “Migration of Contaminated Groundwater Under Control.” The EIs completed reflect the decision of Corrective Action Complete without Controls and have status codes of “Yes, Under Control” for both.
Cleanup Background
Procter & Gamble is an operating manufacturing plant with a closed hazardous waste storage facility, a closed residual waste landfill, and operating residual waste treatment impoundments. The Facility is subject to Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) Solid Waste Permit No. 300016 (Solid Waste Permit). The permitting requirements include the operation and maintenance of a groundwater monitoring system and the leachate collection system, and maintenance of the landfill cap.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) routinely inspects the facility for compliance with its permit requirements. Groundwater and surface water are monitored under the terms of the State Permit.
Site Description
Interactive map of The Proctor & Gamble Paper Products Company, Mechoopany, PA
View larger mapProcter & Gamble is located in a rural area on Route 87 at Meshopany Ridge Road, Washington Township, Wyoming County, PA. The Facility is situated on approximately 1100 acres, of which 350 are developed along the north bank of the Susquehanna River. (Figures one and two)
The plant was constructed in 1965 as a pulp, paper, and diaper mill. The pulp mill ceased operations in 1999. The plant still manufactures paper products with pulp from off-site sources.
The Facility operated as an interim status hazardous waste storage facility from July 1981 until July 1992. At that time Procter & Gamble converted to a hazardous waste generator status, with storage of hazardous waste in containers for less than 90 days.
The interim status storage area was clean-closed in 1992. The residual waste landfill was closed in 1993 in accordance with the PADEP-approved closure plan.
EPA has evaluated the clean closure of the hazardous waste storage area, and the closure and post-closure care of the residual waste landfill. On-going groundwater sampling shows that releases from the Facility are controlled by the cap structures and leachate collection system.
Contaminants at this Facility
While arsenic and manganese are found in concentrations that exceed the EPA screening levels, the contaminants do not pose a threat to human health or the environment. No water supply wells intercept the contaminated groundwater
Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility
While there Institutional Controls at the facility, the PADEP Solid Waste Permit and RCRA Permit impose land-use restrictions on the closed residual waste landfill. Current and future access is restricted to required operation and maintenance activity. The facility is fenced to prevent unauthorized access.
Land Reuse Information at this Facility
The facility is under continued use.
Site Responsibility at this Facility
RCRA Corrective Action activities at this facility have been conducted under the direction of EPA Region 3 with assistance from PADEP.