The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) assessed a $64,900 penalty against Wall Recycling LLC/Elite Waste Services LLC for violating the state’s open burning rule and other violations.
Wall Recycling’s land clearing and inert debris landfill at 3000 Gresham Lake Road in Raleigh, Wake County, was the site of a large fire that broke out on Nov. 25, 2022, and lasted for seven days. DAQ received several citizen complaints about smoke from the fire, which triggered a Code Orange air quality alert for fine particulate matter pollution (known as PM2.5) in the area on Nov. 26.
The cause of the fire is unknown. Records show several smaller fires have occurred at Wall Recycling facilities in recent years. Wall Recycling is required by Division of Waste Management rules to follow best management practices at its solid waste facilities, including the requirements for “fire protection and control.”
According to City of Raleigh Fire Department fire reports, firefighters responded to the scene twice on the morning of Nov. 25; both times, Wall Recycling staff claimed they were able to handle the fire and declined assistance from fire personnel. During the fire, DAQ investigators observed backhoes pushing unburned debris into the fire. Ultimately, all stockpiled vegetative debris at the facility was destroyed in the fire, which continued to give off smoke for several days.
DAQ’s investigation concluded that Wall Recycling was in violation of the state’s open burning rules by causing, allowing, or permitting the open burning of transported vegetative debris at a permitted solid waste management facility.
DAQ also found the facility to be in violation of rules related to air curtain incinerators. The facility has a permit from DAQ to operate an air curtain incinerator, a device that burns debris for disposal without the same emissions associated with open burning. The facility is required to test the incinerator’s emissions to ensure it is working correctly prior to operating the incinerator. While the facility admitted to operating the incinerator several times before and after the November fire, DAQ has not received those test results.
The total penalty includes $400 to the Division of Air Quality to recoup investigative expenses. The remainder of any penalty paid will go into a fund designated for public school expenses, per state law.
The Notice of Violation, the facility’s response, the investigation report, and the Civil Penalty Assessment are available online.
The Division of Waste Management also issued a Notice of Violation to Wall Recycling related to the fire and other operational concerns. DWM has not taken additional enforcement action at this time.