MADISON, Wis. (WFRV) – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says statewide cleanup efforts are complete at multiple sites once tied to a fraud case involving former electronics recycler 5R Processors.
The project, which wrapped up in Price, Rusk and Washington counties, removed more than 2.7 million pounds of hazardous waste — including leaded glass, mercury and mixed electronics — from properties where 5R illegally stored and transported waste between 2011 and 2016.
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“Restoring five different contaminated sites across Wisconsin where hazardous waste was illegally stored and transported was a large undertaking, involving legislative action, partnerships with local municipalities and third-party contractors,” said Natasha Gwidt, DNR Waste and Materials Management Field Operations Director.
The state legislature appropriated $4.5 million through 2021 Wisconsin Act 234 to support the cleanups, which ultimately cost $4.6 million. Roughly $824,000 went to the Ladysmith site, $1.3 million to Catawba and $2.4 million to West Bend.
In all, workers removed 1.5 million pounds of crushed cathode ray tube glass, nearly 695,000 pounds of mixed electronics with monitors, and 65 pounds of elemental mercury, among other hazardous waste. The EPA also oversaw asbestos abatement at the West Bend site, while the city hauled away 64 additional dumpsters of solid waste.
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The cleanup followed a multi-year federal fraud case involving 5R Processors, which was established in 1990 to recycle electronics. Authorities say the company concealed the illegal storage of hazardous leaded glass at facilities in Ladysmith, Glen Flora, Catawba and West Bend.
“Community support and partnerships were vital to these cleanups,” Gwidt said, crediting the EPA and local governments for their roles. “All five sites have the interest of the respective city or county to return them to full functioning service in some way.”
