Iowa DNR suspends e-scrap recycler’s permit renewal

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has ordered Recycletronics, an electronics recycling company located in Sioux City, Iowa, to halt accepting any new obsolete electronics until it reduces the large stockpile of electronic scrap it presently has on-site.

The decision to restrict the company from taking in any new material follows an inspection Dec. 13, 2016, conducted by the DNR and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Recycletronics’ facility. The investigation culminated in a letter sent to Recycletronics, ordering the company to halt accepting any new material until it could reduce the amount of material it already had on-site.

During the inspection, the agencies say they found multiple instances of permit noncompliance, some of which posed serious risks to the health and safety of residents.

Because of the number of violations, Recycletronic’s Iowa cathode ray tube (CRT) recycling permit, which expired Dec. 23, 2016, would not be renewed until the facility reached compliance with all state and federal regulations.

In its letter, the Iowa DNR outlined the following steps that needed to be taken:

• Recycletronics is to immediately cease accepting any electronics for recycling until the stockpiled recyclables becomes manageable and the company can comply with EPA’s speculative accumulation regulations. However, the company can process and recycle any electronics on site to sell as a commodity and properly dispose of other solid wastes.  
• The company must obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permit for the facility.
• Recycletronics must comply with all federal regulations governing CRT handling and waste components (lead, mercury, batteries, PCBs, etc.).
• All CRTs must be stored in a building, shipping container or enclosed vehicle that provides protection from the elements. 
• During the permit suspension, Recycletronics must maintain the following records on recycled components and they must be available to DNR or EPA inspectors upon request:

1. 1. the total aggregate weight and date of each shipment leaving the CRT recycling facility;
2. 2. the name and address of the facility receiving a shipment that left Recycletronics with description of the shipment contents including all bills of lading; and,
3. 3. all hazardous waste manifests. 

The company has until Feb. 28, 2017, to meet the standards. The agencies say following the deadline a site inspection will occur. If, the Iowa DNR notes, the requirements are met, the agency will proceed with renewing Recycletronics’ CRT recycling permit.