An unannounced state inspection found no violations at a Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) facility in Manchester, New Hampshire, marking a significant milestone for the site and the state. This achievement marks the facility’s third consecutive perfect hazardous waste inspection, making it the first facility in New Hampshire history to earn three perfect inspections in a row. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services conducted the inspection to assess compliance with state hazardous waste requirements and determined that the facility met all standards.
The result reflects years of preparation and participation in the state’s Certified Hazardous Waste Coordinator program, which emphasizes education and collaboration between regulators and regulated entities. The program began in 2003, following a shift in the state’s approach to training and outreach, recognizing that inspections and enforcement alone were not improving compliance. Participants must complete annual recertification to stay current with regulatory requirements and maintain ongoing engagement with state hazardous waste staff.
At the Manchester site, the program is led by Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Kevin Smith, who has participated in coordinator training since 2007, and by Dennis Tybursky, who joined in 2011. With support from site leadership, they have developed and sustained the hazardous waste management system evaluated during the inspection.
Inspectors began with a pre-inspection meeting, conducted a full walkthrough of the facility, reviewed documentation, and concluded with an exit debrief. The review covered training records, contingency plans, hazardous and non-hazardous waste determinations, shipping documentation, inspection logs, and records related to used oil and universal waste. According to the department, records were well organized, and employees demonstrated a strong understanding of hazardous waste requirements and procedures.
“Consistent training and clear processes help our teams do the right thing every day,” Smith said. “This inspection reflects the work of employees across the site and underscores the importance of staying engaged and informed.”
State officials encourage regulated facilities to seek guidance as needed and emphasize that education and communication are essential to maintaining compliance. For us, the outcome reinforces that a sustained focus on training, documentation and accountability supports long-term environmental stewardship and regulatory alignment.
