September 16, 2025 – West Bend, Wi – The location of the former 5R Processor, 133 W. Oak Street, in West Bend, Wi, has been cleaned up according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Locals are familiar with the building as the former home of Praefke Brake & Supply Corp.
The cleanup was part of an effort associated with 2021 Wisconsin Act 234 and the multi-year federal fraud case involving former Wisconsin-based electronics recycler 5R Processors and related firms.
5R Processors was established in 1990 and processed primarily electronic waste, including cathode ray tubes from televisions and computer monitors. Due to the high lead content in the glass, these wastes are classified as hazardous wastes.
Between 2011 and 2016, R5 Processors concealed the illegal storage and transport of crushed leaded glass at facilities in West Bend, along with Ladysmith, Glen Flora, and Catawba, WI.
“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 appropriated $4.5 million in total for these cleanup efforts through 2021 Wisconsin Act 234. This act was passed by the state legislature and signed into law by Gov. Tony Evers.
The combination of restitution and state-appropriated funds was meant to help ensure that the properties affected by 5R’s illegal activities could be restored to productive use. In total, cleanup efforts cost $4.6 million.
Total dollars expended for site locations included approximately $824,000 in Ladysmith, roughly $1.3 million in Catawba and approximately $2.4 million in West Bend.
Clean-up efforts resulted in the removal of 1.5 million pounds of crushed cathode ray tube glass, 64,858 pounds of non-crushed cathode ray tube glass, 694,571 pounds of mixed electronics with monitors, 87,076 pounds of mixed electronics without monitors, 139,633 pounds of equipment with refrigerant, 264,156 pounds of scrap plastic, 65 pounds of elemental mercury and other hazardous waste materials.
The city of West Bend removed an additional 64 roll-off dumpsters of solid waste from the West Bend site, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also led an asbestos abatement effort to ensure this site was suitable for cleanup efforts.
“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.”
