E-Waste Recycling Co & Execs Indicted for Overseas Waste Exports
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has announced that an electronic waste recycling company, Executive Recycling Inc., its chief executive officer, and its former vice president of operations were indicted on charges in connection to the failure to file a notification to export hazardous waste; exportation contrary to law; and destruction, alteration, or falsification of records.
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Defendants Allegedly Used Brokers Representing Foreign Buyers to Sell e-Waste Overseas
A significant portion of e-waste collected by the defendants was cathode ray tubes (CRTs). CRTs are the glass video display components of an electronic device, usually a computer or television monitor, and contain large amounts of lead. The defendants engaged in the practice of exporting e-waste, including CRTs, to foreign countries, including China. The defendants regularly negotiated the sale of e-waste to brokers who represented foreign buyers or who sold the e-waste overseas. The foreign buyers often paid the defendants directly. To transport the e-waste, the defendants used shipping cargo containers which were loaded at the company’s facility. The containers were then transported by rail to domestic ports for export overseas.
But Falsely Advertised that Waste Would Be Properly Recycled in U.S.
The defendants allegedly represented themselves on a website to have “extensive knowledge of current EPA requirements" and falsely advertised that they would dispose of e-waste in compliance with all local, state and federal laws and regulations. The defendants also falsely represented that the company would recycle e-waste "properly" and "in the U.S." and that it would not be sent overseas. However, the defendants sold the e-waste they received from customers to brokers for export overseas to China and other countries.