5 days Ago By Zach Petroff
The owner and operator of a Connellsville recycling facility is accused by state prosecutors of ignoring numerous environmental violations, including improper waste management and storing contaminated materials. Earlier this week, Rodney Allen, 74, of Connellsville was charged with eight counts of unlawful conduct and two counts of criminal attempt of unlawful conduct for violations that stretch back several years. Allen runs the facility at 45 Bellevue Road, which has operated under the names B&R Recycling Company and Allen Enterprises and Recycling.
According to the complaint, a December 2020 order from the state Department of Environmental Protection cited violations dating back to 2008, including the unlawful acceptance of solid waste, improper storage of recycled materials and operating without a permit. Follow-up inspections in 2021 revealed that the facility had about one acre of disregarded recyclable materials buried 5 to 10 inches underground, the state attorney general’s office contended. Inspectors found drums filled with waste oil, including various materials, suspected petroleum, degraded tires, and “unknown contents,” the complaint alleged.
Allen also mixed large piles of recyclables with solid waste, and vehicles and trailers on the property were leaking discolored liquids, authorities contended. In May 2023, authorities served a search warrant at the Bellevue Road facility. That led to uncovering buried solid waste and contaminated recyclables.
On Nov. 15, 2024, Allen was interviewed by an agent from the attorney general’s office and reportedly said he bought the property in 2000 from his daughter and used it to store cardboard he collected and sold. He reportedly told agents he accepted recyclables from a waste company, but was unable to sell them.
He also said he had receipts for waste removal but was unable to produce those receipts, police allege..
