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09 Ferrous Processing & Trading (FPT) Back | Next 11 Kronos Concrete
At a Glance
Facility Name: US Ecology Detroit South (EQ Detroit)
Address: 1923 Frederick Street, Detroit, MI 48211
Current Operator / Owner: Republic Services, Inc. (acquired US Ecology in 2022)
Facility Type: RCRA Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility (TSDF)
EPA / RCRA Site ID: MID980991566
Primary Oversight: Michigan EGLE (Materials Management Division, Air Quality Division); U.S. EPA Region 5; City of Detroit BSEED
Compliance Period Covered: 2019–present
Verified Sources: EGLE Site Information | EPA ECHO Facility Report | EGLE MiEnviro Portal | EGLE Consent Order Press Release (July 2024)
Facility Overview
US Ecology Detroit South is a licensed hazardous waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility (TSDF) regulated under the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Michigan’s Part 111 hazardous waste rules. The site receives liquid and solid industrial wastes—such as chemical sludges, solvents, and oily residues—from manufacturing sources for stabilization, solidification, and off-site disposal.
Operations at the 1923 Frederick Street property include truck unloading, tank and drum storage, and chemical treatment within enclosed buildings. The facility is permitted for tank and container management and operates a wastewater pretreatment system regulated by EGLE. Air emissions primarily come from process vessels, vent stacks, and waste-handling areas, which are subject to odor and volatile-compound controls.
The site has operated continuously for decades under different owners. It was originally run as EQ – The Environmental Quality Company before being purchased by US Ecology Inc. in 2014. In 2022, Republic Services Inc. acquired US Ecology, assuming ownership of both its Detroit sites. EGLE’s public record lists the facility’s current regulatory ID as MID980991566, confirming active licensure and oversight under Republic’s management.
Compliance & Enforcement History (2019–Present)
Records from EGLE and the EPA ECHO database show repeated compliance issues at US Ecology Detroit South since 2019, mostly related to odors, tank management, and waste-handling practices.
In 2020, EGLE inspectors documented odor emissions and inadequate containment around certain treatment operations, issuing a Violation Notice under Michigan Act 451 and RCRA Part 111. Follow-up inspections in 2021 confirmed additional violations involving uncontrolled emissions from tanks and solidification areas. The facility was designated a High Priority Violator by EPA during that period due to recurring odor and volatile-compound problems.
From 2022 through 2023, EGLE’s Air Quality Division and Materials Management Division continued site visits in response to community complaints. Inspectors observed fugitive odors at the fence line, leading to additional compliance correspondence and a requirement to prepare a Corrective Action Plan. During that period, the City of Detroit BSEEDcited the facility under Environmental Code § 22-2-83, which prohibits public nuisances arising from dust or odor emissions.
After months of negotiation, EGLE and the company entered into a formal Administrative Consent Order on July 16, 2024, resolving violations from April 2020 through 2023. The order required the company to pay $34,225 in civil penalties, $24,307 in enforcement-cost reimbursement, and commit $927,423 to Supplemental Environmental Projects supporting community benefits. It also mandated engineering upgrades, independent verification of emission-control equipment, routine groundwater monitoring, and enhanced waste-acceptance procedures. Once corrective actions were certified, suspended solidification activities were allowed to resume.
As of late 2025, EGLE lists the facility as active and operating under consent-order oversight, with quarterly reporting and periodic inspections recorded in the MiEnviro Portal and EPA ECHO.
Community Impact
The Frederick Street site is located near residential blocks and small businesses in an area with high cumulative-impact indicators. State EGLE EJ Screening places the surrounding census tracts above the 90th percentile for air-toxics exposure and socioeconomic vulnerability.
Residents in this area have periodically reported strong, chemical-type odors—particularly during warm or windy conditions—consistent with the complaints logged by EGLE that prompted inspections and enforcement. Regulatory agencies have not confirmed specific health outcomes but acknowledge odor and nuisance as valid environmental-quality concerns that affect comfort and well-being.
Status & Sources
As of October 2025, US Ecology Detroit South remains an active, licensed facility under Republic Services Inc.ownership. The 2024 Consent Order remains in force, and EGLE continues oversight through required reporting and inspections. The facility’s RCRA Site ID MID980991566 remains current. Readers can verify operational status and inspection records directly through EGLE and EPA databases.
Public Verification Links:
- EGLE – US Ecology Detroit South (Site Information & Licensing)
- EGLE – EJ & Limited English Proficiency Screening (2024)
- EGLE – Press Release: Administrative Consent Order (July 2024)
- EPA ECHO – US Ecology Detroit South Facility Report
- EGLE MiEnviro Portal
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