In a significant move to enforce environmental laws and protect vulnerable communities, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette announced a major lawsuit on May 1, 2025.
The lawsuit targets those responsible for operating a 12-acre illegal junkyard in Kearny, Hudson County, without required permits and in violation of numerous environmental regulations.
According to the state’s complaint, the site was functioning as a solid and hazardous waste facility despite lacking proper authorization. State investigators discovered serious violations, including the improper disposal of solid and hazardous waste, as well as water pollution that threatens both the surrounding environment and local residents.
The state is demanding the complete removal of all waste, a halt to all unpermitted activity, restoration of the damaged property, and the payment of substantial civil penalties and legal costs.
Environmental Justice Law in Action
This lawsuit is part of New Jersey’s broader strategy under the state’s Environmental Justice Law, which focuses on protecting communities historically burdened by environmental hazards. Passed in 2020 and enforced vigorously since, the law aims to address systemic environmental inequities affecting low-income and minority communities.
“Every resident in every community of our state deserves to live free from environmental harm. That’s what environmental justice means, and it’s why we remain fully committed to this critical work,” Attorney General Platkin said in a statement.
Commissioner LaTourette echoed this sentiment, stating, “Today’s enforcement actions embody DEP’s sustained commitment to confronting the historic injustices that have harmed already overburdened communities with a disproportionate amount of pollution.”
Since 2018, New Jersey has filed approximately 75 lawsuits and enforcement actions aimed at correcting environmental violations in these vulnerable areas. The state’s environmental justice efforts have become a national model, emphasizing not only regulatory enforcement but also community engagement and long-term remediation.
Additional Violators Named in Statewide Crackdown
In conjunction with the Kearny lawsuit, the state filed two additional complaints this month targeting similar illegal operations in Hamilton (Mercer County) and Woodbridge (Middlesex County).
In Hamilton, the DEP filed a complaint against Hakim International Trading and Marketing, a company accused of illegally operating a 2-acre solid and hazardous waste facility. Investigators found flammable and asbestos-containing waste stored at the site without proper safeguards or permits.
The state is demanding that the company cease all unpermitted activity and immediately clean up the hazardous materials.
Meanwhile, in Woodbridge, Spector-Woodbridge Company, LLC is being taken to court for failing to comply with earlier court orders involving illegal dumping on environmentally sensitive wetlands.
The site, which contains protected ecological features, continues to suffer from unremediated waste deposits. The state is seeking sanctions to enforce prior compliance orders and restore the area.
Settlement Reached with Trenton Auto Recycler
While lawsuits continue in other parts of the state, the Attorney General’s Office also announced a successful resolution in a separate case involving KAARS, Inc., an auto recycling business in Trenton. The company agreed to a settlement over multiple hazardous waste storage violations.
As part of the settlement, KAARS will pay a $100,000 civil penalty and implement critical environmental controls, including improved drainage and building containment measures.
Additionally, the company is required to remove all improperly stored hazardous materials from its site to prevent further pollution. This resolution marks a significant step in holding polluters accountable and underscores the importance of proactive compliance.
Public Engagement and Reporting Encouraged
As part of its ongoing commitment to transparency and community involvement, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection urges residents to report environmental violations, particularly in overburdened or historically disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Residents can use the WARN DEP app, call 1-800-WARN-DEP (1-800-927-6337), or email [email protected] to report suspected violations. These tools provide a direct line of communication between the public and state regulators, helping to ensure that hazardous practices are identified and addressed swiftly.
A Broader Movement Toward Accountability
The recent legal actions are not isolated events but part of a sweeping statewide initiative to rectify decades of environmental negligence in communities that have long borne the brunt of pollution.
By taking legal steps against non-compliant operators and securing meaningful penalties and remedies, New Jersey continues to set a precedent in environmental law enforcement.
Conclusion
The legal actions announced on May 1 highlight the State of New Jersey’s unwavering commitment to environmental justice. Whether through litigation, settlements, or regulatory oversight, state officials are determined to hold polluters accountable and restore affected communities.
As the state continues its work, public engagement remains critical to identifying violations and ensuring a cleaner, safer future for all New Jersey residents.
For more detailed information about the enforcement actions and ongoing environmental justice efforts, visit the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.
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