NY Electronics Recycler Hit with $15K Fines Over Violation of State Rules

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Glenmont, New York-based electronics recycling firm has been fined for improper storage and handling of old electronics. eLot Recycling Inc. has been slapped with more than $15,000 in state environmental fines. This follows inspection of the site by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officials, which revealed piles of used electronics containing toxic metals such as mercury and lead being stored at the facility.

The inspection, carried out in April 2016, had found large amounts of unlabelled waste at the site. Consequently, inspectors were unable to identify the type of waste or the date in which the waste had arrived at the facility. As per state rules, recycling facilities are required to maintain labels on stored e-waste that clearly states the date of arrival. Also, the rule requires the recycler to ship the e-waste to authorized reprocessing centers within a time period of one year.

According to DEC inspectors, the site inspection revealed at least 100 containers and numerous pallets that lacked arrival date. Also, the waste was stored at the site in a haphazard manner, making it difficult for them to move around and examine.

Meantime, Maish Freedman, owner, eLot Recycling Inc. noted that the cited issues were temporary and had resulted due to its shifting of facility from Troy to Glenmont. He admitted that the facility lacked adequate record-keeping. However, the facility was not responsible for damaging the environment in any way, he claimed.

ALSO READ: Hong Kong Court Imposes Heavy Fine on Illegal Hazardous E-Waste Importer

However, DEC officials stated that the shipments of around 25,000 pounds of e-waste between August and November 2015 were not reflected on the annual report filed by the company. The officials also found mismatch in shipping records between the recycler and one of the processing facilities.

Freedman has agreed for an installment system to settle the fine. Consequently, nearly one-third of the fine will be paid immediately, and the rest through later installments extending up to October 2018.