Minneapolis, MN – Michael Anthony Svercl, the owner and operator of Earth First Computer Recycling & Resources, Inc., was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay $60,000 in restitution on July 11, 2019, after pleading guilty to a federal crime involving the illegal storage of hazardous waste. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Criminal Investigation Division, exposed a scheme where Svercl misrepresented his company’s recycling practices while hoarding dangerous electronic waste.
Earth First, ostensibly an electronic waste recycling business, accepted used electronics – including computers, monitors, and televisions – from businesses and public entities for a fee, promising proper disposal or recycling. However, beginning around 2011, Svercl allegedly dismantled the devices, salvaging metals and plastics for resale. Crucially, he failed to properly handle the remaining hazardous materials, specifically the cathode ray tubes (CRTs) and broken glass generated from the dismantling process.
Instead of responsibly disposing of the hazardous waste, Svercl accumulated massive quantities of CRTs and broken glass within a building and five large trailers on his property. This created a significant environmental hazard, as CRTs contain lead and other toxic substances. The situation came to a head in September 2014 when Svercl was evicted from the facility. He abandoned the CRTs and glass, leaving them to accumulate on-site for the next two years before authorities intervened.
The EPA’s investigation revealed a pattern of deliberate disregard for environmental regulations and a prioritization of profit over public safety. The abandoned CRTs posed a direct threat to the surrounding community and environment. The accumulation of hazardous materials violated the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), specifically 42 U.S.C. 6928(e), which governs the management and disposal of hazardous waste. The statute makes it illegal to knowingly endanger others through the improper handling of such materials.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Michael Anthony Svercl
- Business: Earth First Computer Recycling & Resources, Inc.
- Location: Minnesota
- Crime: Illegal storage of hazardous electronic waste
- Statute Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(e) (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act)
- Penalty: 2 years probation, $60,000 restitution
- Hazardous Waste: Primarily cathode ray tubes (CRTs) and broken glass from televisions and monitors.
The restitution order aims to cover the costs associated with the proper removal and disposal of the hazardous waste left behind by Svercl. While Svercl avoided imprisonment with the probation sentence, the case serves as a warning to other electronic waste recyclers. The EPA continues to prioritize enforcement of RCRA regulations to protect communities from the dangers of improperly managed hazardous waste, and will continue to investigate those who prioritize profit over environmental responsibility. This case underscores the growing problem of e-waste and the critical need for responsible recycling practices.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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