News Release

T – 5 – 21
Meredith Williams, Director

Contact: Gamaliel Ortiz
(916) 869-5422
Gamaliel.Ortiz@dtsc.ca.gov

California Reaches $310,000 Settlement After Ordering METech to Stop Metal Shredder Operations

METech Recycling, Inc. in Gilroy Settled over Hazardous and Universal Waste Violations

SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and METech reached a settlement agreement that requires the company to pay $310,000 to resolve hazardous and universal waste violations at its Gilroy facility, including failure to operate in a manner that minimizes the possibility of release of hazardous waste or hazardous waste constituents.

“Our enforcement team conducts thorough and timely inspections to stop companies from running illegal, dangerous, and potentially disastrous operating practices,” said DTSC Director Meredith Williams. “Violators put the health and safety of California communities at risk if left unchecked.”

This enforcement case is one of many pursued by DTSC to hold polluters accountable for potential and actual releases of toxic substances, which can have devastating effects on the people and environment of California.

DTSC inspectors concluded that the electronic waste handling and recycling facility treated mercury-containing devices in a metal shredder without a permit, in violation of the California Code of Regulations. Mercury is a powerful neurotoxin that affects brain and nerve function and can accumulate inside aquatic food chains when exposed to the environment. DTSC ordered METech to stop its shredding operations from September 2016 to August 2018. While shredding operations were ceased, METech decontaminated its facility and made changes to its equipment to ensure the facility can be operated in a manner to prevent the possibility of release of hazardous waste.

METech is also accused of failing to provide regular training to staff on universal waste management and proper emergency response procedures and failing to maintain adequate financial assurance to properly close its facility, in the event that it needed to be closed.

The company was also cited for, among other things:

• Unauthorized and excessive storage of hazardous waste,
• Inadequate labeling of universal and hazardous waste containers and failure to keep universal waste in designated areas,
• Failure to close hazardous waste containers, and
• Failure to prepare a manifest for a shipment of hazardous waste.

The settlement was approved by the Alameda Superior Court on Jan. 29, 2021. A copy of the civil complaint and settlement agreement for this action are available online here.

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FOR GENERAL INQUIRIES: Contact the Department of Toxic Substances Control to report illegal handling, discharge, or disposal of hazardous waste or other environmental concerns at Calepa.my.salesforce-sites.com/complaints/Complaint.