Miguel Castillo, Hazardous Waste Violation, New Jersey 2019

Camden, NJ – Miguel Castillo, former president and CEO of Concord Chemical Company, has completed his sentence for illegally storing hazardous waste at the company’s now-abandoned Camden facility. The case, brought by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), highlights the dangers of improper waste disposal and the potential for environmental and public health risks.

According to court documents, Castillo knowingly allowed the accumulation of hazardous waste at the Concord facility from at least 2005 through August 2010, despite the company lacking the necessary permits for storage. Concord Chemical manufactured and distributed a range of chemical products, including cresylic acid, soaps, waxes, and lubricants – many of which, or their raw materials, were classified as hazardous.

An EPA site visit in August 2010 revealed a disturbing scene: an abandoned and dilapidated facility overrun with drums containing corrosive and ignitable hazardous waste. The facility was devoid of employees, indicating a deliberate abandonment of responsibility. The EPA was subsequently forced to undertake a costly cleanup operation, removing the hazardous substances between October 2010 and March 2011. This cleanup effort placed a significant burden on federal resources and underscored the severity of the violation.

Castillo pleaded guilty on June 6, 2018, to one count of violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), specifically 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A). RCRA, enacted in 1976, aims to protect human health and the environment by establishing a framework for the proper management of hazardous waste. The law mandates that any facility treating, storing, or disposing of hazardous waste must obtain a permit – a requirement Concord Chemical blatantly disregarded under Castillo’s leadership.

On January 29, 2019, Castillo was sentenced in the District of New Jersey to six months of home confinement, followed by five years of probation. In addition to confinement and supervision, he was ordered to pay approximately $450,000 in restitution to cover the costs associated with the EPA’s cleanup of the site. The financial penalty serves as a deterrent to other companies and individuals who might attempt to circumvent environmental regulations.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the EPA’s commitment to enforcing environmental laws and holding accountable those who prioritize profit over public safety and environmental protection. The abandoned Camden facility remains a cautionary tale of industrial negligence and the long-term consequences of irresponsible waste management.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Miguel Castillo
Location: Camden, New Jersey
Year: 2019 (Sentence Date)
Statutes Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(e), 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) – Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Penalty: 6 months home confinement, 5 years probation, $450,000 restitution
Details: Castillo knowingly allowed the illegal storage of hazardous waste at Concord Chemical Company without a required permit. The EPA conducted a cleanup costing approximately $450,000.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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