Ohio auto-shredding business owner speaks after the company was caught dumping shredded metal, cars, garbage on surrounding properties

Columbus Auto Shredding is the second Ohio business to be caught recently illegally dumping

Owner Carmen Giordano says he had to go to the hospital Wednesday night after receiving bad and unexpected news. He's not sure if he had a heart attack, but was told he had cardiac issues.

Just weeks after another Ohio business was caught illegally dumping, Ohio auto shredding has found itself in the middle of a similar situation. Columbus Auto Shredding, an auto-shredding and wrecking yard, was found to have been dumping shredded metal, cars, and garbage on surrounding properties. Over 500 cars were found along with other automotive refuse, broken down and shredded in fields, driveways, creeks, ravines, and ponds.

Carmen Giordano, the owner of Columbus Auto Shredding, says he was unaware that his employees were dumping the materials on the surrounding properties. He says that he has since fired the employees responsible and has taken steps to ensure that this does not happen again.

"I am very sorry for what has happened," Giordano said. "I take full responsibility for the actions of my employees, and I am committed to making things right."

Giordano says that he has already begun the process of cleaning up the mess. He says that he has hired a contractor to remove the shredded metal, cars, and garbage from the surrounding properties. He says that he is also working with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure that the cleanup is done properly.

The Ohio EPA is currently investigating the matter. A spokesperson for the agency says that it is too early to say what enforcement actions may be taken.

This is the second Ohio business to be caught illegally dumping in recent weeks. In June, a Lorain County business was fined $25,000 for illegally dumping tires.

The Ohio EPA says that illegal dumping is a serious problem in the state. The agency says that it receives hundreds of complaints about illegal dumping each year.

"Illegal dumping is a blight on our communities," said Ohio EPA Director Laurie Stevenson. "It pollutes our environment and it can pose a health hazard to our residents."

The Ohio EPA encourages anyone who sees illegal dumping to report it to the agency. The agency says that it will investigate all complaints and take appropriate enforcement action.