Electronics recycler on the verge of closure; leaves huge CRT stockpiles

By Paul Ploumis (ScrapMonster Author)

April 19, 2016 02:28:38 AM

CLEVELAND (Scrap Monster): Closed Loop Refining and Recovery, a major CRT processor is on the brink of closure. According to reports, the company has defaulted on rent payments for several months at its Ohio and Arizona facilities. In addition, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has issued a notice of violation to the recycler, which is feared to trigger enforcement action including forced closure.

The lawsuit filed by property management company Garrison Southfield Park alleges that Closed Loop has not paid rent at its 1675 Watkins Road site in Columbus, Ohio since June 2014. The landlord for 435 S 59th Ave., Phoenix facility has stated that the company has defaulted on its lease payments.

As per state records, 1675 Watkins Road site in Columbus had a stockpile of nearly 23 million pounds of unprocessed CRTs and about 10.5 million pounds of processed CRT glass as on Jan 1st, 2015. In addition, 2200 Fairwood Ave., Columbus site was found to contain 2.6 million pounds of processed CRT glass. The Phoenix facility along with two warehouses is believed to contain 50.5 million pounds of leaded CRT glass and another 4.5 million pounds of intact CRTs. The Ohio EPA had recently issued notice of violation for accumulating CRT materials at its facilities. The regulators had also cited improper storage and labeling of material. According to federal CRT rule, recycling companies are required to recycle at least 75 percent of CRT material on-site each calendar year.

The property manager Garrison Southfield Park is reportedly preparing for cleanup of the 1675 Watkins Road site in Columbus, Ohio. It has demanded vacation of the premises by Closed Loop and payment of $4 million towards outstanding and future rent payments and expenses towards clean-up operations.