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

Search for:

Compliance Topics

Compliance Archives

I used the IT support number available and my issue was resolved within a few minutes. I don't see anything that could have made it better.

Danny Province

EHS Professional

The instructor does a great job at presenting material in an approachable way. I have been able to save my company about $30,000 in the last year with what I have learned from Lion!

Curtis Ahonen

EHS&S Manager

The course was very well structured and covered the material in a clear, concise manner.

Ian Martinez

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Course instructor was better prepared and presented better than other trainers. Course manual and references were easier to use as well.

Marty Brownfield

Hazardous Waste 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

I was able to present my scenario to the instructor and worked thru the regulations together. In the past, I attended another training firm's classes. Now, I have no intention of leaving Lion!

Diana Joyner

Senior Environmental Engineer

This was the 1st instructor that has made the topic actually enjoyable and easy to follow and understand. Far better than the "other" training providers our company has attended!

Lori Hardy

Process & Resource Administrator

Lion was very responsive to my initial questions and the website was user friendly.

Michael Britt

Supply Chain Director

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

Amazing instructor; real-life examples. Lion training gets better every year!

Frank Papandrea

Environmental Manager

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

This report details major changes for hazardous waste generators from US EPA’s Generator Improvements Rule, as well as the latest updates from states that are still working to adopt new, stricter Federal requirements.

Download

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.