Electronic Waste Recycler Fined for Hazardous Waste Violations

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Madison-based Recycling Compliance Specialists, formerly known as Midwest Lamp Recycling, was fined $90K for failing to properly dispose of mercury, thus violating hazardous waste regulations. The charges include improper handling and disposal of mercury.

The facility used to accept light bulbs from retailers such as local hardware stores. The investigation into the facility by the Department of Natural Resources found that the company did not properly handle the waste from crushing operations. Moreover, the mercury-containing waste was sent to a landfill.

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Also, the company did not have license to hold hazardous waste for not more than 90 days, but the waste was often held at the facility for longer periods. The samples collected from facility’s water and waste significantly exceeded permitted levels of mercury. However, the company did not designate such waste as hazardous.

This is not the first time that the company has been fined for violations. Earlier in 2015, Midwest Lamp Recycling was fined $30,000 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for failing to provide protection to workers during lamp crushing operations. Also, the federal government had fined $25,000 for exposing employees to toxic mercury levels in 2018.