Dive Brief:

• Casella Waste reported a chemical exposure incident at a municipal materials recovery facility (MRF) it operates in Williston, VT facility.
• The company said gas from a can of bear repellent caused 23 employees to seek medical attention on site, while 12 sought help at the UVM Medical center.
• A supervisor evacuated approximately 42 employees from the building and called 911.

Dive Insight:

Officials arrived on the scene then isolated the building, turned off the power and shut down the facility as a precaution. Casella opted to keep the plant closed for the remainder of the day. Businesses located  nearby were also evacuated. Casella urged the public to take the safety of workers into consideration and cautioned against disposing hazardous materials into the recycling bin.