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Photo illustration by Tori Maier-Mahaffy with photos from EnSafe and Resource Recycling, Inc.[/caption]
Over several years, Closed Loop Refining and Recovery was paid to take hundreds of millions of pounds of cathode-ray tube (CRT) materials at sites in Phoenix and Columbus, Ohio. In 2016, the company collapsed, leaving behind massive, contaminated sites that others have had to pay to clean up.
The aftermath provides a cautionary tale for the electronics recycling industry: Be careful where you ship your toxic residuals because the decisions could haunt you for a long time. Years after Closed Loop failed, nearly 100 electronics recycling companies, OEMs and others have been sued over shipments of CRT materials, resulting in settlements totaling millions of dollars.
The cleanups themselves have stretched on for seven years, with most of the leaded glass ultimately ending up in landfills.
E-Scrap News has published dozens of stories keeping readers updated on the most consequential CRT abandonment case in U.S. history. Below, you can find all of our reporting in a convenient timeline format.
Click a timeline box to be taken to the full story on that item.
Click here to jump to the latest Closed Loop news, at the bottom of the timeline.[/vc_column_text][icon_timeline timeline_style="jstime" timeline_line_style="solid" time_sep_bg_color="#783214"][icon_timeline_item time_title="OCTOBER 2010 | Closed Loop eyes CRT expansion" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2010%2F10%2F06%2Fclosed-loop-eyes-crt-expansion%2F|target:_blank"]
ARIZONA: Closed Loop expands its Phoenix facility and announces plans to install lead-extraction technology in Phoenix and open second and third facilities elsewhere in the country.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="NOVEMBER 2014 | Company receives notice of violation in Arizona" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2014%2F11%2F06%2Fcrt-player-closed-loop-receives-notice-of-violation%2F|target:_blank"]
ARIZONA/OHIO: Now with facilities in Phoenix and Columbus, Closed Loop receives a notice of violation from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ).
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="FEBRUARY 2016 | Auditor voices concerns" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:%20https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2016%2F02%2F25%2Fauditor-voices-concerns-about-crt-processor%2F|target:_blank"]
ARIZONA/OHIO: Closed Loop loses R2 certification for its sites, with an auditor saying nonconformances were found during audits.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="APRIL 2016 | Closed Loop nears collapse" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2016%2F04%2F15%2Fcrt-outlet-closed-loop-nears-collapse%2F|target:_blank"]
ARIZONA/OHIO: Falling behind in rent in both states, Closed Loop faces one landlord lawsuit and receives a notice of violation from the Ohio EPA.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="JUNE 2016 | From promises to piles" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2016%2F06%2F01%2Ffrom-promises-to-piles%2F|target:_blank"]
ARIZONA/OHIO: After Closed Loop fails, E-Scrap News takes a comprehensive look at how much material the company may have accumulated and possible next steps.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="DECEMBER 2016 | Questions linger about cleanup in Arizona" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2016%2F12%2F01%2Fquestions-linger-about-closed-loop-cleanup-in-arizona%2F|target:_blank"]
ARIZONA: ADEQ talks with property owners about cleanup options, and it consults with officials in California, where much of the material originated.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="MARCH 2017 | Closed Loop loses case in Ohio" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2017%2F03%2F16%2Fclosed-loop-loses-case-ohio%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: A state court judge rules in favor of landlord Garrison Southfield Park in a lawsuit against Closed Loop.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="AUGUST 2017 | Company execs ordered to pay millions in Ohio" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2017%2F08%2F08%2Fclosed-loop-execs-ordered-pay-millions-ohio%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: The judge order Closed Loop's executives, David Cauchi, Brent Benham and Brian LaPoint, to pay over $18 million to Garrison Southfield Park. The money never materializes.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="SEPTEMBER 2017 | Federal suit targets Closed Loop and suppliers" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2017%2F09%2F06%2Ffederal-suit-targets-closed-loop-suppliers%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: Landlords file a lawsuit in federal court against Closed Loop and two suppliers of CRTs.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="SEPTEMBER 2017 | One OEM’s role in sending material to Closed Loop" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2017%2F09%2F19%2Fone-oems-role-sending-crt-glass-closed-loop%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: E-Scrap News reports that there was some level of past OEM preference for sending material to Closed Loop.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="JULY 2018 | New details emerge on stockpiles" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2018%2F06%2F07%2Fnew-details-emerge-on-closed-loop-stockpiles%2F|target:_blank"]
ARIZONA: ADEQ releases records providing a new - and significantly higher - estimate of material in storage.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="MARCH 2019 | Lawsuits take aim at dozens of suppliers" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2019%2F03%2F29%2Flawsuits-take-aim-at-dozens-of-closed-loop-crt-suppliers%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: Warehouse owners sue over 40 companies that had shipped CRT materials to Closed Loop in Columbus.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="APRIL 2019 | Processors named in Ohio case defend their actions" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2019%2F04%2F12%2Fprocessors-named-in-crt-case-defend-their-actions%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: In statements to E-Scrap News, a handful of e-scrap companies defended their past shipments to Closed Loop. Among other arguments, they noted the company had been audited and certified, and they insisted OEMs and the warehouse owners shared responsibility for the situation.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="JULY 2019 | Several e-scrap firms pay out in lawsuit" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2019%2F07%2F18%2Fsome-e-scrap-firms-pay-out-in-crt-stockpile-suit%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: A dozen defendants, all relatively small suppliers, agree to settlements.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="SEPTEMBER 2019 | CRT suppliers in the crosshairs" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2019%2F09%2F18%2Fcrt-suppliers-in-the-crosshairs%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: An E-Scrap News print magazine piece recaps the recent legal developments.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="OCTOBER 2019 | Stakeholders talk cleanup cost liability" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2019%2F10%2F03%2Fclosed-loop-stakeholders-talk-cleanup-cost-liability%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: Key figures in the lawsuit speak on-stage at the 2019 E-Scrap Conference.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="DECEMBER 2019 | UNICOR agrees to settlement" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2019%2F12%2F12%2Funicor-agrees-to-closed-loop-crt-settlement%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: Defendant Federal Prison Industries (dba UNICOR) agrees to settle.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="JANUARY 2020 | Three more suppliers settle" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2020%2F01%2F16%2Fthree-more-crt-suppliers-settle-in-closed-loop-court-case%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: Three more defendants, including a public agency and a nonprofit group, reach a settlement.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="MARCH 2020 | Opinion: In CRT mess, let’s protect the good guys" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2020%2F03%2F25%2Ffirst-person-perspective-in-crt-mess-lets-protect-the-good-guys%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: A consultant working for a defendant writes in E-Scrap News arguing that CRT suppliers that conducted due diligence and acted responsibly should be protected legally.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="APRIL 2020 | Processor signs major settlement" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2020%2F04%2F02%2Fprocessor-signs-major-settlement-in-closed-loop-case%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: Defendant eCycleSecure agreed to a $903,000 settlement.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="MAY 2020 | Details emerge on scope of Ohio cleanup" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2020%2F05%2F14%2Fdetails-emerge-on-scope-of-closed-loop-crt-cleanup%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: Published documents detail the scope of the Columbus stockpiles in warehouses owned by Garrison Southfield Park, as well as the cleanup strategy and costs.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="JULY 2020 | Abandoned material seems destined for disposal" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2020%2F07%2F02%2Fabandoned-closed-loop-material-seems-destined-for-disposal%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: Additional published document detail the stockpiles and cleanup costs for the Columbus warehouse owned by Olymbec USA.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="AUGUST 2020 | Court approves settlements" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2020%2F08%2F06%2Fcourt-approves-settlements-in-closed-loop-crt-case%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: The judge approves nine settlements that had earlier been reached in the Ohio case.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="AUGUST 2020 | Ohio landlords sue OEMs" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2020%2F08%2F13%2Fohio-landlords-sue-oems-in-closed-loop-case%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: For the first time, Ohio landlords sue OEMS and an OEM representative.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="SEPTEMBER 2020 | CompuPoint agrees to recycle CRTs to settle lawsuit" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2020%2F09%2F11%2Fcompupoint-agrees-to-recycle-crts-to-settle-lawsuit%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: A supplier agrees to provide in-kind CRT recycling services in Ohio, instead of a cash payment, to end its involvement in the case.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="OCTOBER 2020 | Closing in on a cleanup" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2020%2F10%2F27%2Fclosing-in-on-a-cleanup%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: An E-Scrap News print magazine piece explores the cleanup projects.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="NOVEMBER 2020 | Major OEM settles" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2020%2F11%2F19%2Fmajor-oem-settles-in-closed-loop-cleanup-case%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: Sony Electronics agrees to a $1.2 million settlement.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="JANUARY 2021 | Largest supplier agrees to pay $6 million" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2020%2F11%2F19%2Fmajor-oem-settles-in-closed-loop-cleanup-case%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: Kuusakoski reached a $6 million settlement.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="JULY 2021 | Cleanup progressing at sites in Phoenix" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2021%2F07%2F01%2Fcrt-cleanup-progressing-at-closed-loop-sites-in-phoenix%2F|target:_blank"]
ARIZONA: E-Scrap News examines progress at the Phoenix cleanup projects, where a warehouse at 27th Avenue was cleaned up but work remains at a separate 59th Avenue facility.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="JULY 2021 | Processor and OEM agree to settle" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2021%2F07%2F22%2Fprocessor-and-oem-agree-to-settle-in-ohio-crt-case%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: A processor and OEM reach a joint $850,000 settlement.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="OCTOBER 2021 | Judge: Sony may have more CRT responsibility in Ohio" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2021%2F10%2F14%2Fjudge-sony-may-have-more-crt-responsibility-in-ohio%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: Hearing objections from other defendants, a judge rejects Sony's settlement.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="JANUARY 2022 | Kuusakoski’s $6 million deal approved" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:%20https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2021%2F10%2F14%2Fjudge-sony-may-have-more-crt-responsibility-in-ohio%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: The judge approves Kuusakoski's $6 million settlement, and two of the three warehouses are cleaned up.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="JUNE 2022 | Four settlements approved" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2022%2F06%2F03%2Ffour-settlements-approved-in-closed-loop-crt-case%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: The judge approves settlements from two electronics brand owners and two e-scrap processors.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="JULY 2022 | Defendants agree to pay $550,000" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2022%2F07%2F08%2Fdefendants-agree-to-pay-550000-to-clean-up-crt-sites%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: Two more defendants reach legal settlements.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="SEPTEMBER 2022 | OEMs, others agree to tentative settlements" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2022%2F09%2F19%2Foems-others-agree-to-tentative-settlements-in-closed-loop-case%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: Parties in the case tell the judge they've reached at least tentative settlements with nearly all the defendants.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="OCTOBER 2022 | OEM, processor agree to settle" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2022%2F10%2F05%2Foem-processor-agree-to-settle-in-crt-case%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: Sony and a processor reach a joint $2.4 million settlement.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="OCTOBER 2022 | Dell, IMS and GEEP USA reach settlements" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2022%2F10%2F26%2Fdell-and-ims-reach-settlement-in-closed-loop-ohio-case%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: Three more defendants reach settlements totaling $1.62 million.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="NOVEMBER 2022 | Landlords drop suit against MRM and OEMs" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2022%2F11%2F02%2Flandlords-in-closed-loop-case-to-drop-suit-against-mrm-and-oems%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: A deal is reached to have Kuusakoski pay another $1 million and plaintiffs drop their case against two OEMs and an brand owner representative.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="NOVEMBER 2022 | Suit targets suppliers in Arizona" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2022%2F11%2F30%2Fsuit-targets-closed-loop-crt-suppliers-in-arizona%2F|target:_blank"]
ARIZONA: Landlords file a federal lawsuit against 49 suppliers of CRT materials to Closed Loop. Two agree to settle. The complaint makes similar arguments to the Ohio lawsuit.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="JANUARY 2023 | Ohio case winds down, cleanups complete" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2023%2F01%2F19%2Fmillions-of-dollars-move-as-ohio-crt-case-winds-down%2F|target:_blank"]
OHIO: Crews complete an $11.2 million cleanup, Garrison Southfield Park sells a warehouse for $9.6 million, landlords determine they'll be on the hook for well over $1 million in costs, and a final legal settlement is reached in Ohio.
[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title="JUNE 2024 | Processors continue to settle in Arizona" heading_tag="h2" time_link_apply="box" time_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fresource-recycling.com%2Fe-scrap%2F2024%2F06%2F13%2Fclosed-loop-crt-settlements-in-arizona-reach-10-8-million%2F"]
ARIZONA: Companies that sent CRT materials to the Arizona sites have paid a combined total of $10.8 million to date. Nearly two dozen processors have yet to respond to the lawsuit, however.
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