Madison Reporter

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has completed cleanup operations at several sites in Price, Rusk, and Washington counties. These efforts were connected to the 2021 Wisconsin Act 234 and a federal fraud case involving 5R Processors, a former electronics recycling company based in Wisconsin.

5R Processors began operating in 1990 and specialized in handling electronic waste, such as cathode ray tubes from televisions and computer monitors. The glass from these tubes contains high levels of lead, classifying it as hazardous waste. Between 2011 and 2016, the company concealed illegal storage and transport of crushed leaded glass at its facilities located in Ladysmith, Glen Flora, Catawba, and West Bend.

"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.

To fund the cleanup activities required by Act 234, the state allocated $4.5 million. This legislation was passed by lawmakers and signed into law by Governor Tony Evers. Both restitution funds from legal proceedings against those responsible for the contamination and state-appropriated funds contributed to restoring affected properties for future productive use. In total, cleanup costs reached $4.6 million. Of this amount, approximately $824,000 was spent on the Ladysmith site; about $1.3 million went toward cleaning up Catawba; while around $2.4 million addressed contamination at West Bend.

During these operations, crews removed significant quantities of hazardous materials: 1.5 million pounds of crushed cathode ray tube glass; nearly 65 thousand pounds of non-crushed cathode ray tube glass; almost 695 thousand pounds of mixed electronics containing monitors; over 87 thousand pounds of mixed electronics without monitors; close to 140 thousand pounds of equipment with refrigerant; more than 264 thousand pounds of scrap plastic; along with smaller amounts including elemental mercury—totaling just over sixty-five pounds—and other dangerous substances.

In addition to these removals coordinated by DNR staff and contractors, the city of West Bend extracted an extra sixty-four roll-off dumpsters filled with solid waste from its site. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also conducted asbestos abatement work there before further cleanup could proceed.

"Community support and partnerships were vital to these cleanups. These included partnerships with the EPA, Price County, Rusk County, Washington County, the village of Catawba, the city of Ladysmith and the city of West Bend," said Gwidt. "All five sites have the interest of the respective city or county to return them to full functioning service in some way."

The DNR continues its work through programs focused on managing waste materials statewide as well as promoting safe electronics recycling practices through ongoing initiatives accessible online.