LEOMINSTER —The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) announced this week that it has fined two Leominster-based businesses a combined $75,020 for environmental violations involving improper handling of hazardous materials and pollutants.
On Monday, July 21, 2025, MassDEP announced it fined D&R Environmental Services, LLC, a licensed asbestos contractor from Leominster, $46,980 for violations discovered during an asbestos removal project at a private residence in Harvard.
According to MassDEP, the homeowner hired D&R to remove asbestos-containing materials as part of a heating system abatement project. After the work was completed, the homeowner, concerned about how the work had been done, brought in an independent asbestos consultant, who subsequently reported violations to the agency. While D&R Environmental Services properly disposed of a heating pipe wrapped in asbestos insulation, MassDEP found the company failed to follow proper work practices during the removal and packaging of the asbestos-containing materials.
“Although D&R Environmental Services properly followed regulatory procedures for disposal, its mishandling and improper packaging of the asbestos materials beforehand was a serious violation that put public health and the environment at unnecessary risk,” said Mary Jude Pigsley, director of MassDEP’s central regional office in Worcester. “Asbestos is a known carcinogen, and all asbestos-related abatement work must be done using strict procedures to prevent exposure and environmental contamination.”
Under the terms of the consent order issued by MassDEP, D&R is required to pay a $46,980 penalty and comply with all asbestos regulation requirements — including notices, submittals, and other communications — during any demolition or renovation work done in Massachusetts.
On July 22, MassDEP announced a separate $28,040 penalty against Leaktite Corporation, located at 40 Francis Street in Leominster. MassDEP determined Leaktite violated air pollution and hazardous waste regulations at its industrial facility, which manufactures custom plastic buckets through an injection molding process. The agency said Leaktite failed to maintain required air emissions records and shipped hazardous waste using an unlicensed transporter to an unlicensed facility.
“Manufacturers must comply with air quality and hazardous waste regulations to protect public health and the environment,” Pigsley said. “Improper handling of hazardous waste endangers workers, first-responders and the public, while air pollution poses serious risks to our most vulnerable residents. We enforce strict standards to ensure that hazardous waste and harmful pollutants are managed and controlled safely and responsibly.”
MassDEP said Leaktite Corporation agreed to pay the penalty and address the violations by hiring a licensed hazardous waste transporter and submitting documentation to demonstrate compliance with its air permit requirements.
