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Wrigley Charcoal Plant Site

 
Site Contact:
Steve Spurlin
OSC

(spurlin.steve@epa.gov)

Site Location:
8526 Plant Road
Lyles, TN 37098
 response.epa.gov/WrigleyCharcoal

The Wrigley Charcoal Plant Site includes seven distinct areas affected by various industrial activities. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) placed the Site on the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1989 because of contaminated debris, ground water and soil resulting from facility operations dating back to the 1880's.

In 1995, Industrial Plastics Recycling started operating a small-scale recycling facility on the southern portion of the Site. Industrial Plastics Recycling conducted metals and plastics recycling, storage of waste products and other related activities on the southern portion of the Wrigley Charcoal Plant NPL Site. Industrial Plastics Recycling utilized approximately 15 acres of the NPL Site and consisted of a large warehouse, a large processing building and approximately five acres of outside/uncovered storage of processed and unprocessed acrylic, poly-carbonate, ABS, polyethylene, polypropylene, styrene, PVC and PETG plastics in totes and piles. The Site is surrounded by residential communities and directly adjacent to the North Fork of Mill Creek.

On December 18, 2013, the Industrial Plastics Recycling facility caught fire. Approximately five acres of plastics and surrounding buildings were involved and on fire. A large smoke plume ensued that extended for miles downwind. Numerous homes and business were impacted by the smoke plume. State and local officials implemented a 1½-mile evacuation zone in all directions. The EPA responded under emergency authority and assisted with extinguishing the fire. The fire resulted in significant damage to the buildings and structures at the Site, and Industrial Plastics Recycling ceased operating at the Site. For additional information regarding the Industrial Plastics incident, please visit the following website: http://epaosc.org/industrialplasticscofire


The fire, time, and weather events have impacted the roofing tiles on the old buildings. The majority of the tiles have fallen onto the ground. Testing by TDEC and EPA verified the tiles contain asbestos. A time critical removal action will be conducted by EPA to address the asbestos tiles and any soil areas impacted by the asbestos.


The ERRS contractor used the excavator with the grappler attachment to demolish the remaining structural steel located at the south end of the north building. The water truck was used for dust suppression. The ERRS contractor used the excavator with the grappler attachment to demolish the remaining structural steel located at the south end of the north building. The water truck was used for dust suppression. The ERRS contractor cut the structural steel and used cables attached to the excavators with the shear and grappler attachments to demolish the south end of the north building. The water truck was used for dust suppression. The ERRS contractor cut the structural steel and used cables attached to the excavators with the shear and grappler attachments to demolish the south end of the north building. The water truck was used for dust suppression. The ERRS contractor cut the structural steel and used cables attached to the excavators with the shear and grappler attachments to demolish the south end of the north building. The water truck was used for dust suppression. The ERRS contractor used an extended reach excavator to demolish the northwest wall of the north building. The water truck provided dust suppression during demolition. The ERRS contractor used an extended reach excavator to demolish the northwest wall of the north building. The water truck provided dust suppression during demolition. After washing wash completed, START visually inspected the floor for any remaining visible asbestos-contaminated debris. Since there appeared to be no debris, the ERRS contractor prepared to demolish the northwest wall of the north building. After removal of asbestos-contaminated debris from the floor of the north building, the ERRS contractor washed the floor prior to the demolition of the northwest wall. ERRS contractor used the water truck to wash structural steel prior to staging for recycling. The ERRS contractor used excavators with a shear attachment and a grappler attachment to remove structural steel from the north building. A water truck was used to provided dust suppression. Demolition debris mixed with asbestos-contaminated material was staged and placed into lined roll offs for disposal at a State of Tennessee approved asbestos landfill. The ERRS contractor demolished the northwest room of the north building. Demolition debris mixed with asbestos-containing materials was staged and placed into lined roll offs for disposal at a State of Tennessee approved asbestos landfill. After demolition of the north wall of the north building, the ERRS contractor began removing the structural steel. The steel was washed using a water truck and staged for recycling through a local vendor. The START contractor conducted perimeter air monitoring off site near residential areas. The START contractor, a State of Tennessee accredited asbestos project monitor, conducted perimeter air monitoring on site outside of the regulated area. The ERRS contractor used an extended reach excavator to demolish the wall above the northeast room of the north building. A water truck was used during demolition for dust suppression. Prior to staging the demolition debris, the START contractor, a State of Tennessee accredited asbestos project monitor, conducted a visual inspection of the debris. If there appeared to be no asbestos-containing materials mixed with the debris, the ERRS contractor placed the debris in the staging area north of the north building. ERRS contractor used an extended reach excavator to begin demolition of the north wall of the north building. ERRS contractor lined the disposal roll offs with two layers of plastic sheeting. Each layer was folded ERRS contractor performed a surface scrape of the soil located north of the north building to stage demolition debris that appeared to not be contaminated with asbestos debris. ERRS contractor removed asbestos-contaminated debris from the window sills of the north building prior to demolition. ERRS contractor removed metal and fire damaged equipment from the north building. They also removed the gross asbestos-contaminated debris from the north end of the building prior to demolition. ERRS contractor used a skid steer to remove metal and fire damaged equipment from the north building. Disposal of demolition debris from the office building. Demolition of the office building located near the southeast corner of the north building. Demolition of the office building was conducted using a trackhoe with a grappling attachment. Dust suppression with provided by a water truck with a hose attachment. Demolition of the office building located near the southeast corner of the north building. Demolition was conducted using a trackhoe with a grappling attachment and dust suppression was provided by a water truck with a hose attachment. Waste generator labels were spray glued to the surface of the plastic sheeting inside the roll off prior to transportation to the State of Tennessee approved landfill for disposal. Asbestos-contaminated debris was wrapped Asbestos warning signs were posted on the exterior of the disposal roll offs. Asbestos signs and hazard tape were placed around the perimeter of the site to restrict access to non authorized personnel. A three-stage decontamination unit was placed at the workers entrance to the work zone. Asbestos signs and hazard tape were placed around the perimeter of the site. Disposal of asbestos-contaminated debris into a roll off lined with two layers of 6-mil plastic sheeting. North building Floor of south building ACM mixed with brick Interior floor office area South Building
For additional information, visit the Pollution/Situation Report (Pol/Sitreps) section.