Jerome Plastic Bag Producer Accused of Failing to Report Toxins

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho environmental group is accusing a nationwide plastic bag producer of violating federal laws on reporting toxic waste.

The Idaho Conservation League announced Monday that it has notified Novolex, which has a plant in Idaho, that it must begin filing information to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's toxic-release inventory database.

Austin Hopkins, conservation assistant for the environmental group, said in a prepared statement that his group discovered the reporting gap while reviewing air quality permits for Novolex's factory in Jerome.

Upon further review, Hopkins argues that Novolex has failed to file appropriate reports in multiple factories across the country. However, Phil Rozenski, senior director of sustainability with Novolex, said that the company is currently complying with all federal emission laws, and none of the company's factories exceed the reporting threshold. Hopkins added that Novolex has 60 days to respond or face a lawsuit.