Detroit Scrap Recycler Agrees To Settlement With United States To Reduce Pollution

A Detroit scrap metal and iron recycling company has agreed to pay a $25,000 penalty and implement a compliance program to resolve allegations that it violated the Clean Air Act, U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced today.

Joining McQuade in the announcement was Susan Hedman, Administrator of Region 5 of the Environmental Protection Agency.

The settlement resolves a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Environmental Protection Agency against Basic Recycling, alleging that its facility on Fulton Avenue in Detroit was releasing harmful chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) into the environment.  CFCs cause ozone depletion and have harmful effects on human health. 

Under the settlement, Basic Recycling agreed to implement a Clean Air Act compliance program at its facility to eliminate the harmful release of CFCs. 

The settlement requires Basic Recycling to pay a civil penalty of $25,000 and comply with all environmental regulations in accepting and processing small appliances which present a risk of harmful CFC emissions.

“This settlement will protect the health of Detroit residents and ensure cleaner air for future generations,” McQuade said.

“This settlement will help to preserve the earth’s ozone layer, which protects us from harmful radiation,” EPA Region 5 Administrator Hedman said.  “Basic Recycling will also take steps to improve air quality in a community that has been disproportionately impacted by environmental contamination.”

While Basic Recycling did not admit any of the violations alleged by the government, it has agreed to all compliance provisions.  

The settlement was lodged with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and will be subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval.  It can be viewed at: http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html  and will appear in the Federal Register.  Comments can be directed to Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division, with reference to United States v. Basic Recycling.