Date: May 3, 2018
Location: Hebron, Kentucky (USA)
Address: 2053 Meridian Place, Hebron, KY 41048
Type: Dust Explosion
Fuel: Toner Dust
Industry: Printer Cartridge Recycling
Equipment: Dust Collector
Company: Close the Loop
Previous Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
Headquartered in Somerton, Australia, Close the Loop is an international business with operations in United States, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The company provides consultancy services in the areas of designing recycling equipment and processes, identification of waste collection requirements, developing resource recovery processes, identifying reuse opportunities, setting sustainability goals and managing annual reporting and achievements, and other processes supporting a closed-loop economy. Moreover, Close the Loop offers direct material recovery services, such as office toner cartridges recycling at its facility in Hebron, Boone County, Kentucky.
Description of Toner Dust Explosion:
On May 3, 2018, Local12.com reported a toner dust explosion at the Close the Loop recycling facility in Meridian Place, Hebron, Boone County. According to the company CEO, a piece of metal sparked igniting the toner dust explosion. Images from WCPO Cincinnati showed the explosion occurred in an outdoor dust collector.
90 people were evacuated from the facility from the explosion and resulting fire. Fox19 reported that internal safety systems within the facility worked as designed and contained the flames. Neighbours reported hearing a large boom when the explosion occurred. None of the workers at the facility were reported as injured.
Sources:
Fox19
WCPO Cincinnati
Local12.com
