Seattle-based Recycler Faces Huge Penalty for Illegal Storage of Toxic E-waste

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Total Reclaim, a Seattle-based electronics recycler has been fined by state regulators for second time in a row for violating dangerous waste laws. The state regulators alleged that the recycler has accumulated flat-panel display devices containing hazardous waste for longer than allotted period. Consequently, the company was fined $67,500 by the Washington Department of Ecology. The company was earlier fined $444,000 last year for alleged shipment of electronic waste to Hong Kong, as revealed by an independent investigation.

According to Department of Ecology, the inspection conducted during the month of February this year had revealed that the company had been illegally storing hundreds of flat TVs and monitors in semi-truck trailers. It found that these items which are known to contain hazardous materials including mercury were stored for longer than 180 days. Under the law, any storage of such toxic materials in excess of the stipulated period must be treated as speculative accumulation, which makes the company responsible for the act to be liable to pay penalty. Consequently, a fine of $67,500 was issued to Total Reclaim last week.

Total Reclaim has 30 business days to pay the fine or file an appeal with the Washington State Pollution Control Hearings Board.

Darin Rice, manager of Ecology’s Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction program charged the company for willfully violating the state’s recycling policies and dangerous waste regulations. Having already met with a hefty fine in 2016, the company must have taken necessary steps to ensure proper and safe recycling of electronic waste containing toxic waste. Instead the company has stored them for a prolonged period. A total of nearly 212,000 pounds of flat-panel displays were discovered during the inspection, Rice added.

Meantime, Total Reclaim, in an emailed statement, stated that it disagrees with the fine levied by the state regulator. Craig Lorch, owner, Total Reclaim noted that the company is working with Ecology on resolving the situation. He also stated that the company is likely to appeal the penalty within the stipulated 30days period. It must be noted that the company’s appeal against the 2016 fine before the Board still remains unresolved. The company claimed that company has already responded positively to the findings by arranging for shipment of flat screens exceeding 180 days storage period to a recycling facility in South Carolina.