Zinc Nacional is now one of the largest importers of toxic waste from the United States. This company is now at the center of an environmental firestorm in Mexico. The company recycles hazardous metal dust to recover zinc. Just last week, it was under fire for allegedly leaking and improperly storing toxic waste at its Nuevo León plant. The facility, located just blocks away from one of Mexico City’s most important watersheds, is currently being investigated by Mexico’s environmental enforcement agency Profepa. What’s more concerning is the reverse of that equation—the potential risk of contamination to the surrounding environment.
The company, majority-owned by Zinc Nacional, operates under a state license to dispose of hazardous waste. It cleans toxic metal dust shipped by US steelmakers. A new report, authored mostly by Soto Jiménez, has drawn national attention to the company’s practices, calling the findings “alarming.” That investigation uncovered that hazardous waste had been stored in supersacks—large woven bags used to store industrial materials—at the Meremex industrial yard. These bags had been produced in Mexico by Zinc Nacional with sewn labels attached.
In response to these allegations, Zinc Nacional has expressed "serious concerns about both the methodology rigor and reliability of the study." The company continues to maintain that it has adhered to all regulatory requirements. Further, it boasts about having eliminated all zinc oxide product from its active yards. Zinc Nacional has a plan in place to sell its remaining stock from the Meremex location. They expect to finish the removal in the next few weeks.
Zinc Nacional Profepa has intervened, ordering Zinc Nacional to remove the hazardous waste from its plant. The agency has stated that "the sacks are being placed in storage areas with reinforced concrete floors, walls, and steel sheet roofing" as a precautionary measure. Profepa said their future inspections will focus on the kind of material being stored. On these grounds alone, EPA should not rely on its soil sampling to forestall additional remediation.
Environmental experts have warned that the messy clearing would have an enormous impact on the local ecosystem. Javier Castro Larragoitia, an independent toxicologist, cautioned that pollutants can seep into the ground. Otherwise, they could leach into the sub-surface aquifer, threatening our drinking water.
Today, residents and environmental advocates are still fighting for transparency and action. Rybarczyk, a community member, questioned the company's motives: "Why isn’t it being sold? Why is it being stored? Those are my questions."
Zinc Nacional is one of Mexico’s largest importers of US toxic waste. Its operations have been controversial because they’re based right next to the watershed that produces 92% of Nuevo León’s water supply. The company’s practices have been cause for concern and scrutiny for environmentalists who worry that unnecessary pollution is endangering vital water resources.
The need for Profepa’s involvement is a clear sign that this situation is not okay. Yet, as their attempts to track and deal with the hazardous waste show, it takes strong environmental supervision to avoid contamination. Now that the sacks are safely in guarded warehouses, Profepa is prepared to assess the damage. They’ll make judgments about whether more action is needed or not based on what soil sampling finds.
Zinc Nacional's commitment to removing zinc oxide material from its operation yards demonstrates a willingness to comply with regulatory demands. Yet, while this controversy is a cause for concern and action, it points to larger toxic waste management practices within Mexico and trans-boundarily.
The charges against Zinc Nacional underscore the need for strict environmental enforcement. As one of the largest players in the recycling industry, its actions set a precedent for others involved in handling toxic materials. The case serves as a reminder to community advocates that we must continue to fight for transparency and accountability in waste management practices.