News Release

T – 8 – 21
Meredith Williams, Director

Contact: Sanford (Sandy) Nax
916-416-4309
Sanford.Nax@dtsc.ca.gov

State Files Civil Complaint Against SA Recycling for Hazardous Waste Violations at Two L.A.-Area Facilities

SACRAMENTO – State officials are asking a judge to order SA Recycling to stop violating hazardous waste laws at two of their Los Angeles-area facilities and to pay civil penalties for past infractions.

In a complaint filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) alleges that SA Recycling, LLC violated hazardous waste laws at their facilities in Los Angeles and Pomona. These alleged violations include unlawfully storing, treating, releasing and transporting hazardous waste, including lead.

DTSC is the state agency tasked with safeguarding Californians and the environment from the harmful effects of dangerous chemicals. This complaint is the latest in a string of enforcement actions by DTSC against metal recyclers across the state.

“Harmful chemicals have the potential to migrate into neighboring areas, so the health of people and the environment are at risk when hazardous waste is mismanaged,” said DTSC Director Meredith Williams. “DTSC will continue to use all tools at our disposal to keep communities safe.”

Inspectors from DTSC and Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Health Hazardous Materials Division found SA Recycling did not have a permit from DTSC to store and/or treat hazardous waste at the facilities.

In Los Angeles, inspectors found elevated levels of lead and copper in metal piles, 144 55-gallon drums of used oil with perforated or unsealed lids and they had stored shredded paper from oil filters in a waste pile.

In Pomona, inspectors discovered hazardous waste manifests did not account for 135 compressed gas cylinders shipped to a Chino company that did not have a permit to store hazardous waste, that a company transporting cylinders was not property registered. Inspectors also observed three microwave ovens containing material that requires special handling being loaded via grappler into trailers for transport. A grappler’s jaws can crush its contents, increasing the risk of harmful ingredients being released.

SA Recycling faces civil penalties of up to $25,000 for each instance of the alleged violations.

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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.