U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has issued an administrative consent order to Elyria Recycling Co. that requires the company to comply with federal regulations to protect stratospheric ozone at the company's scrap processing facility in Elyria, Ohio.

EPA cited Elyria Recycling last September for failing to recover refrigerants containing ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons from appliances or to verify if they had been removed before disposal. In addition, EPA said the company failed to keep copies of signed statements verifying CFC removal for at least three years.

In January, Elyria Recycling bought refrigerant-recovery equipment for use in carrying out the order. The order does not limit EPA's authority to seek appropriate relief, including penalties, for Elyria Recycling's alleged violation of these clean-air regulations.

"EPA's mission is to protect public health and the environment," said Acting Regional Administrator Bharat Mathur. "We will take whatever steps are needed to ensure compliance with the Clean Air Act."