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

The instructor was very dedicated to providing a quality experience. She did her best to make sure students were really comprehending the information.

Stephanie Venn

Inventory Control Specialist

Best instructor ever! I was going to take my DOT training w/a different provider, but based on this presentation, I will also be doing my DOT training w/Lion!

Donna Moot

Hazardous Waste Professional

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

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

The instructor created a great learning environment.

Avinash Thummadi

CAD & Environmental Manager

I tried other environmental training providers, but they were all sub-standard compared to Lion. I will not stray from Lion again!

Sara Sills

Environmental Specialist

Convenient; I can train when I want, where I want.

Barry Cook

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Excellent class, super instructor, very easy to follow. No rushing through material. Would like to take his class again.

Lawrence Patterson

EH&S Facility Maintenance & Security Manager

I attended training from another provider and learned absolutely nothing. Lion is much better. Hands down.

Nicole Eby

Environmental Specialist

If I need thorough training or updating, I always use Lion. Lion is always the best in both instruction and materials.

Bryce Parker

EHS Manager

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

What to do before, during, and after a RCRA hazardous waste inspection to defend your site from rising State and Federal penalties.

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.