Michael Anthony Svercl, E-Waste Storage Without Permit, Minnesota 2019

Minneapolis, MN – Michael Anthony Svercl, the owner and operator of Earth First Computer Recycling & Resources, Inc., has been sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay $60,000 in restitution for illegally storing hazardous electronic waste. The case, brought by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), highlights a growing problem of fraudulent e-waste recycling operations skirting environmental regulations for profit.

According to court documents, Svercl’s Earth First, ostensibly an electronic waste recycling business, accepted used electronics – including computer monitors and televisions – from businesses and public entities, charging fees for proper disposal. However, beginning around 2011, Svercl allegedly dismantled the devices, salvaging metals and plastics for resale, but improperly storing the remaining hazardous materials.

The core of the crime centered around the accumulation of cathode ray tubes (CRTs) and associated broken glass. These components, found in older televisions and monitors, contain lead and other hazardous materials. Svercl stockpiled these dangerous remnants in a building and five large trailers on his property, creating a significant environmental hazard. When Svercl was evicted from the facility in September 2014, he abandoned the accumulating waste, leaving it unattended for over two years.

The EPA’s criminal investigation revealed Svercl knowingly violated the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), specifically 42 U.S.C. 6928(e). This section of RCRA prohibits the storage of hazardous waste without a permit and failing to properly manage it, posing risks to human health and the environment. The prolonged abandonment of the CRT waste created a potential for lead contamination of soil and groundwater, impacting the surrounding community.

Svercl pleaded guilty to the RCRA violation on July 11, 2019. In addition to the two-year probation and $60,000 restitution, the sentencing serves as a warning to other e-waste recyclers who may be tempted to cut corners and disregard environmental regulations. The EPA continues to prioritize enforcement actions against illegal e-waste operations, which often ship hazardous materials to developing countries with even laxer environmental standards.

The case underscores the importance of responsible e-waste management. While many legitimate recyclers adhere to strict environmental protocols, rogue operators like Svercl exploit the system, creating environmental liabilities and undermining the integrity of the recycling industry. Authorities urge consumers and businesses to verify the credentials of any e-waste recycler before entrusting them with sensitive materials.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Michael Anthony Svercl
Business: Earth First Computer Recycling & Resources, Inc.
Location: Minnesota
Year of Offense: 2011-2016 (waste abandoned in 2014, sentencing in 2019)
Statutes Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(e) – Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Penalties: 2 years probation, $60,000 restitution
Crime: Improper storage and abandonment of hazardous e-waste (CRTs and glass)

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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