Owner of Andover plastics recycler ordered to pay $118,000 over chemicals violations

An Andover plastics recycling company owner who admitted mishandling waste chemicals must pay more than $118,000 in restitution to the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said Monday.

A federal judge also ordered 39-year-old Sean M. Riley, who co-owned Integrated Plastic Solutions with his brother Brian J. Riley, to serve 18 months of probation for aiding and abetting negligent exposure to a hazardous air pollutant. He pleaded guilty to the count and was sentenced Monday.

The Rileys were convicted of dumping paints and solvents containing ethylbenzene onto their business grounds after learning the recycling company’s waste handling practices were under investigation by the Kansas Department of health and Environment, Grissom said. Ethylbenzene, a flammable, carries a risk of flash fire and explosion and posed a potential danger to employees, Grissom said.

The company stored hazardous wastes and chemicals, including paints and solvents, on site, he said.

Brian Riley received three years of probation and must pay the same restitution as his brother for his role. He was sentenced in May.

This story was originally published July 6, 2015 at 4:40 PM with the headline "Owner of Andover plastics recycler ordered to pay $118,000 over chemicals violations."