Redding recycler fined $400,000 by the state

Article from Record Searchlight.

http://www.redding.com/story/news/2017/04/26/redding-recyler-fined-400000-state/100951392/

Damon Arthur, Record Searchlight
Published 3:17 p.m. PT April 26, 2017 | Updated 12:19 p.m. PT April 27, 2017

A metal recycler in Redding has been fined $400,000 for illegally treating, storing, transporting and disposing of hazardous waste, authorities said Wednesday.

The fine was part of a court settlement agreed upon by Northstate Recycling of Redding and the state Attorney General’s Office.

The Department of Toxic Substances Control, which conducted an investigation last summer at the recycler, said it has stopped shredding metal at the site in south Redding, but continues to recycle cardboard, glass bottles, aluminum cans and high-value metals.

Northstate Recycling is still open for business, manager Michelle McCorison said on Thursday. She said the company has received numerous calls from customers mistakenly believing the company is shutting its doors. But the company remains open.

“Let this be an example to metal recyclers and shredding operations that continue to violate California’s hazardous waste laws,” said Hansen Pang, DTSC’s Chief Investigator for the Office of Criminal Investigations. “DTSC is enforcing environmental regulations and will take action if necessary. This action is essential to protecting the environment and public health in and around recycling and shredding operations.”

The recent action is not the first time Northstate Recycling on Girvan Road has been sanctioned by the state over environmental regulations.

In 2012 the California Regional Water Quality Control Board issued a cleanup order to the recycler for allegedly allowing polluted water to run into a nearby creek. State officials said at the time the runoff contained zinc, copper, lead and other metals.

In 2001, 2002 and 2004 the water board sent Northstate Recycling letters indicating stormwater runoff had unacceptable levels of pollutants. And in 2006 and 2007 the board issued the business notices of noncompliance.

The California Sport Fishing Protection Alliance sued Northstate Recycling in 2010, alleging the pollution violated the Clean Water Act and terms of the company’s permit.

Northstate and the alliance settled the lawsuit in 2011 when the recycler agreed to install a new treatment system, according to the regional water board.

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