Local Firm Gets Waste Disposal Pact in Mexico

Security Environmental Systems Inc. said Tuesday that it has negotiated a two-year contract to transport and dispose of hazardous waste from northern Mexico manufacturing plants operated by U.S.-owned companies.

The contract with Eco Transportes Internacionales SA de CV in Juarez, Mexico, is the first step in winning contracts with U.S. companies for hauling waste, the company said.

Under treaties, U.S. businesses bringing material into Mexico to be used in a manufacturing process--such as solvents for cleaning computer parts--must return the used materials to the United States for disposal, said Stephen Grossman, president of the Huntington Beach company. The waste is considered hazardous by Mexican officials even though nearly all of it can be recycled, he said.

In addition, only Mexican haulers can pick up the waste and deliver it to the border, where U.S. haulers like Security Environmental can pick up the material and dispose of it. Hence, the agreement with Eco was needed before Security could seek contracts with the U.S. companies.

Grossman said revenue will depend on how many contracts he can secure from U.S. companies, but he thinks the market will generate $500,000 in the next six months.