Government and facility officials reported this month that emissions exceedances at the East Liverpool hazardous waste incinerator reached new lows during the final quarter of 2025.

The facility, now known as Arcwood Environmental, submitted a status report to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. The report shows the incinerator exceeded emission standards or operating limits nine times between October and December last year. This is a decrease from previous periods earlier in the year.

Arcwood and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) both noted that new equipment has helped control pollution levels. In early 2025, the facility installed an $11 million waste shredder and a system of soot blowers. The shredder breaks down containers to allow for more consistent burning, while the soot blowers prevent buildup inside the furnace that can cause pressure spikes.

The facility has been operating under a 2018 court order, known as a consent decree, which followed allegations of Clean Air Act violations. Arcwood representatives stated they believe the company has met nearly all requirements to end the court’s oversight.

However, the federal government and Arcwood remain in negotiations over unpaid penalties for alleged violations that occurred between July 2022 and the end of 2024. The government maintains that resolving these financial claims is necessary before the court order can be lifted.

While the EPA acknowledged the downward trend in emissions, the agency continues to review whether certain events qualify as equipment malfunctions or environmental violations. The two sides met in February  to discuss a path toward ending the legal oversight