EPA v. C & M RECYCLING

Case summary

U.S. EPA Region 5 issued an Administrative Consent Order (ACO) to C & M Recycling (C & M) to resolve violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA). EPA alleged that C & M accepted for recycling small appliances, such as refrigerators and room air conditioners, that contained or once contained ozone-depleting refrigerants, without either recovering the refrigerant from the appliances or verifying that the refrigerant had been properly recovered prior to sale to C & M, in violation of regulations found at 40 CFR 82.156. EPA issued a Finding of Violation to C & M on September 6, 2011. The ACO requires C & M to obtain refrigerant recovery equipment and to properly recover the refrigerant from appliances it accepts for scrap recycling at its North Chicago, Illinois facility. C & M's refrigerant recovery program is estimated to recover a minimum of 120 lbs of ozone-depleting refrigerants per year. Since the refrigerants used in small appliances also are potent global-warming gases, these resolutions will, in addition to protecting the ozone layer, have the added benefit of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases equivalent to removing approximately 60 SUVs from the road for a year.

Defendants (1)

• C & M RECYCLINGNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• C & M RECYCLING

  1600 MORROW AVE, NORTH CHICAGO, IL, 60064

  Registry ID: 110043456676

Statutes cited

• CAA 608 — National Recycling & Emission Reduction Program

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• C & M RECYCLINGentered 2012-03-02

  Primary law: CAA

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2012-03-02Final Order Issued
• 2012-03-08Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2014-01-17Air Resolved