Lakeland, FL – Marian (Mario) Walas, former president and manager of now-defunct Rincat LLC, has completed a five-year probation sentence for illegally storing hazardous waste generated from automotive catalytic converter recycling. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), revealed a pattern of negligence and disregard for environmental regulations, leaving a substantial cleanup burden for RL Land Development.
Rincat LLC operated a recycling facility focused on recovering valuable precious metals – platinum, palladium, and rhodium – from used catalytic converters. This process, while potentially profitable, inherently produces dangerous byproducts. According to court documents, between August and December 2010, Walas directed the storage of hazardous waste, including corrosive chloride solutions, sulfuric acid, and a cocktail of heavy metals, at a Lakeland warehouse for a period exceeding 90 days – all without the necessary permits required by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
The scheme involved attempts to conceal the illegal storage. Between March and June 2010, Walas and Rincat contracted with a waste disposal company to remove approximately 37,000 gallons of hazardous material in eight separate loads. However, this proved insufficient, as investigators discovered at least 20 containers of the dangerous waste still present at the warehouse in June 2010. Following the company’s eviction in August 2010, a full assessment revealed a staggering 38,550 gallons of abandoned hazardous waste, posing a significant environmental risk to the surrounding area.
Legal Ramifications
Walas pleaded guilty to violating 42 U.S.C. 6928(e) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). RCRA is the nation’s primary law governing the disposal of solid and hazardous waste. Specifically, the violation concerned the unlawful storage of hazardous waste without a permit, a serious offense carrying both criminal and financial penalties. The EPA’s criminal enforcement program aims to deter environmental crimes and ensure compliance with vital regulations designed to protect public health and the environment.
Restitution and Future Concerns
As part of the sentencing on January 17, 2019, Walas was ordered to pay $59,599 in restitution to RL Land Development, the property owner burdened with the costly cleanup of the abandoned hazardous waste. While the five-year probationary period has concluded, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of environmental crimes and the importance of responsible waste management practices. The EPA continues to prioritize enforcement actions against individuals and companies who flout environmental regulations, especially those involving the handling of hazardous materials.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Marian Antoni Walas
- Company: Rincat LLC (defunct)
- Location: Lakeland, Florida
- Crime: Illegal storage of hazardous waste
- Statute Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(e) – Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
- Hazardous Waste: Chloride, sulfuric acid, heavy metals from catalytic converter recycling
- Waste Volume: Approximately 38,550 gallons abandoned
- Penalty: Five-year probation and $59,599 restitution to RL Land Development
GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental crime cases and report on developments as they occur.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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