Automobile and Appliance Shredder Agreed to Settlement for Operating Without Air Pollution Controls

A Los Angeles area metal shredding facility accused of releasing toxic substances into the atmosphere has agreed to pay more than $2.93 million to comply with air pollution laws and to settle an environmental protection lawsuit, according to a report from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office.

Deputy District Attorney Daniel Wright of the Environmental Law Section said SA Recycling, LLC – an automobile and appliance shredding company – agreed to the settlement, which was signed by Los Superior Court Judge Debre K. Weintraub. The civil lawsuit and settlement were filed last week. (WCxKit)

The action alleged that SA Recycling violated air pollution laws when an explosion at its San Pedro facility at Terminal Island destroyed its air pollution control system in May 2007 and the company continued operating for weeks without proper equipment.

At the time of the violations, the company was operated by Hugo Neu Corp. SA Recycling purchased the company in September 2007.

The injunction permanently enjoins SA Recycling from operating its San Pedro shredder without a fully functioning air pollution control system.

Under the terms of the stipulated judgment, SA Recycling has agreed to install an air pollution control system to minimize emissions at its San Pedro location and two other sites in Orange and Kern counties. The company also has agreed to work closely with state and local regulators to address compliance issues related to its operations.

SA Recycling must additionally pay $260,000 in civil penalties and investigative costs to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and $430,000 to the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) for investigative expenses and enforcement tools.

Among others who will benefit are the College of Engineering at the University of California, Davis, slated to receive $100,000 to support aerosol studies; the Coalition For A Safe Environment, which will receive $75,000 for select projects; and 11 San Pedro Bay marina owners and operators, who will share $165,000 to target water and sediment pollution sources. (WCxKit)

SA Recycling shreds and sorts recyclable metal materials. The process, ultimately, generates auto shredder residue (ASR) which is treated to reduce solubility of any remaining metals.