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

As always, Lion never disappoints

Paul Resley

Environmental Coordinator

The instructor was very patient and engaging - willing to answer and help explain subject matter.

Misty Filipp

Material Control Superintendent

The instructor did an excellent job presenting a very dry subject; keeping everyone interested and making it enjoyable.

Marc Bugg

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

I can take what I learned in this workshop and apply it to everyday work and relate it to my activities.

Shane Hersh

Materials Handler

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

I had a positive experience utilizing this educational program. It was very informative, convenient, and rewarding from a career perspective.

John Gratacos

Logistics 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

I like Lion's workshops the best because they really dig into the information you need to have when you leave the workshop.

Tom Bush, Jr.

EHS Manager

Our instructor was very dynamic and kept everyone's interest. Hazmat shipping can be a dry, complicated topic but I was engaged the entire time.

Kimberly Arnao

Senior Director of EH&S

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Knowing why TSDFs reject loads of hazardous waste—and the exact steps to follow if it happens—can reduce your anxiety and uncertainty about rejection.

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.