|
Recent EPA Enforcement Case Results in $195,000 Fine for AT&T for Improper Disposal of Computers
"AT&T has settled with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on charges it did not properly respond to an agency request for information about its computer disposal practices, and will now pay a penalty of $195,000. EPA inspected the AT&T facility at 412 Mount Kemble Avenue in Morristown, New Jersey in November 1998 in response to a tip that possible hazardous waste, including computers and other equipment, was being mismanaged. After the inspection, EPA sent a letter to AT&T asking how the facility managed its waste computers and electrical equipment. In two separate responses, AT&T provided some information to EPA, but the agency believes the company did not fully answer inquiries into how it managed waste computers and electrical equipment – a violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which gives EPA the authority to request specific information from facilities about their management of hazardous waste. Some computers contain small amounts of toxic compounds including lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic. Although individual computers from households may be placed in solid waste landfills, EPA requires commercial establishments disposing of computers to determine whether they qualify as hazardous waste, and if so, to have the computers sent to an approved hazardous waste disposal facility or to a recycler. AT&T ultimately submitted the missing information to EPA, and no charges have been filed against the company for improper disposal of computer parts. For more information, contact Nina Habib Spencer, (212) 637-3670. "
Source: EPA Region 2 August 2000 press release
| 
