Styropek Settles Citizen Suit, Agrees to Zero-Discharge of Plastic Pellets in Pennsylvania

Styropek has reached a landmark settlement over Clean Water Act violations, requiring the company to achieve zero discharge of polystyrene pellets (nurdles) from its Monaca facility. The case, supported by Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection, also addressed violations of state environmental laws.

The consent decree mandates installation of advanced monitoring technology, automatic penalties for any pellet release, and a redesigned stormwater system to capture all pellet waste. While the plant is currently idled, requirements will extend to production if operations resume or the site is sold.

$2 million of the settlement will fund Raccoon Creek cleanup, $500,000 will support water quality protection in the Ohio River watershed, and $100,000 will go to a state clean water fund. Environmental advocates say the agreement could serve as a national precedent for citizen enforcement of plastic-pellet pollution.

08-09-2025