The settlement, which was announced on 18 February, bars G&K from operating certain industrial washers until it meets legal standards and obtains permits. It must also hire a consultant to assist with permits, record keeping, reporting, monitoring and testing.
Connecticut’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) investigated G&K two years ago after receiving complaints of strong odours from its Waterbury industrial laundry.
The DEP found G&K had not installed mandated anti-pollution controls, resulting in unsafe emissions that could be irritating and damaging to the lungs, eyes and skin.
In 2008, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal sued the company on behalf of DEP and won an order blocking the company from laundering soiled shop towels contaminated with various solvents, oils and greases that contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
According to DEP, the company has continued to collect shop towels from customers at the Waterbury site and trucked the towels to an out-of-state laundry.
Until the company meets legal standards and obtains proper permits, it is prohibited from laundering shop and print towels at the Waterbury facility.
Blumenthal said, “Even more than the money, this settlement stops G&K from laundering industrial towels in Connecticut until it strictly adheres to state anti-pollution regulations.”
