Search

Former Recycling Company President Faces Prison Time for RCRA Violations

Posted on 12/8/2020 by Lauren Scott

On November 19, the former president of a Wisconsin-based recycling company was sentenced to 18 months in Federal prison for conspiring to store and transport hazardous waste without the proper permits. The former president also conspired to evade paying employment and income taxes, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin.

The former president joined the recycling company in 2007 and became its president in 2010. The company recycles electronics, appliances, and other equipment out of its main facility in Ladysmith, Wisconsin.

A press release issued by the US Attorney’s office asserts that the former employer among others conspired to store hazardous waste (such as lead-contaminated CRT glass) at unpermitted facilities in Wisconsin and Tennessee; transport the hazardous waste without a required manifest; and conceal these violations from State and Federal auditors. The violations occurred between 2011 and 2016.

At the plea hearing, the former employer admitted to the following actions:
  • Changing the date labels on hazardous waste containers
  • Concealing the containers in the back of the warehouse behind other pallets as well as inside locked semi-trailers
  • Storing the containers at a warehouse in Glen Flora, Wisconsin undisclosed to State regulators
  • Storing the containers at two company-owned warehouse spaces in Morristown, Tennessee that had no electricity or power
  • Providing State regulators with inaccurate inventory and shipping records for the leaded glass
The former company president plead guilty to the charges on September 1. During sentencing, the judge noted that the individual had cooperated with the government during its investigation, but still needed to pay a price for the “severity of [his] conduct and the debt [he] must pay to society.”

RCRA Training: Learn Live or At Your Own Pace

US EPA requires hazardous waste professionals to complete annual training on the RCRA requirements. Lion makes it easy to meet your RCRA training mandate with convenient online courses and live, instructor-led webinars. 

Browse RCRA training options here to find the course that fits your needs, your schedule, and your learning style.
 

Tags: environment, hazardous waste, penalties, RCRA, recycling, violations

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

These are the best commercial course references I have seen (10+ years). Great job!

Ed Grzybowski

EHS & Facility Engineer

The course was very informative and presented in a way that was easily understood and remembered. I would recommend this course.

Jeffrey Tierno

Hazmat Shipping Professional

I like the consistency of Lion workshops. The materials are well put together and instructors are top notch!

Kevin Pylka

Permitting, Compliance & Environmental Manager

More thorough than a class I attended last year through another company.

Troy Yonkers

HSES Representative

Given the choice, I would do all coursework this way. In-person courses go very fast without the opportunity to pause or repeat anything.

Ellen Pelton

Chemical Laboratory Manager

The course is well thought out and organized in a way that leads to a clearer understanding of the total training.

David Baily

Hazmat Shipping Professional

The price was reasonable, the time to complete the course was manageable, and the flexibility the online training allowed made it easy to complete.

Felicia Rutledge

Hazmat Shipping Professional

The instructor kept the class engaged and made learning fun. There was a lot of information to cover but time flew by. I will definitely use Lion in the future!

Chelsea Minguela

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Lion provided an excellent introduction to environmental regulations, making the transition to a new career as an EHS specialist less daunting of a task. Drinking from a fire hose when the flow of water is lessened, is much more enjoyable!

Stephanie Weathers

SHE Specialist

I really enjoyed this training. Even after years on both sides of the comprehension coin, I find myself still learning! The quality of the delivery exceeded much of the training I have received in the past.

Neil Ozonur

Safety Officer

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Use this guide as a quick reference to the most common HAZWOPER questions, and get course recommendations for managers and personnel who are in need of OSHA-required HAZWOPER training.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.