Electronics Recycler Investigated

Georgia authorities are investigating whether A&B Recycling Inc., a Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., electronics recycling company, has been reselling intact equipment instead of breaking it down.

Earlier this month Motorola Corp. filed a complaint with the Fort Oglethorpe Police Department, alleging electronic equipment sent to A & B Recycling Inc. was not recycled but instead resold, said interim Fort Oglethorpe Police Chief Steve Blevins, according to local press reports.

The company recycles damaged, used, obsolete and surplus computer, electronic and telecommunication parts and equipment, and could face charges of theft by conversion, Blevins said.

“They’re (A & B Recycling Inc.) supposed to completely destroy the things they get and recycle all of the pieces,” he said. “We’re trying to piece together if there are any criminal violations that we’re dealing with.”

On April 11, investigators searched the facility and its warehouses in Fort Oglethorpe and Ringgold to inspect documents and some of the equipment, Blevins said, adding company officials have cooperated with the investigation, according to an article by the Catoosa (Ga.) County News.

Last year the company, in operations for seven years, handled between 2-3 million pounds of scrap plastics and around 5 million pounds of electronics scrap.

Lamar Bearden, owner of A & B Recycling, said the accusations are “all a misunderstanding.” Additionally, Bearden said that A&B Recycling is planning on talking with representatives from Motorola this week where the problems, it is hoped, will be resolved.