Zippo, the Pennsylvania maker of iconic cigarette lighters best known for their distinctive metal cases, has agreed to pay $186,000 to settle allegations it violated federal hazardous waste laws.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said this week that Zippo Manufacturing Co.'s alleged violations included reporting and storage practices at its Bradford facility.
The violations were mainly clerical in nature, Zippo spokesman Jeff Duke told the Bradford Era on Wednesday. He said employees were unaware that reporting requirements had changed and that equipment they were using was no longer approved by regulators.
"It sounds a lot more dramatic than it really was. This is primarily a paperwork issue."
Duke said there were no issues with chemicals being released or toxic materials spilled. A contractor working for the EPA discovered an unpermitted evaporator or thermal treatment unit in use at the company's facility.
After being cited, he said Zippo worked with the EPA for several months negotiating the terms of the settlement
The evaporator, used in the chrome-plating of Zippo lighters, has since been removed from production.
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Duke said as of Tuesday all issues were either corrected or being corrected.
"As far as we know we're in full compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations."
