Respondents owned the Site where a business entity, Central Steel Drum, Inc. (CSD) operated. CSD's operation at the Site mainly consisted of recycling drums, a process which generated ash residue and several substances which are listed as hazardous under CERCLA. EPA cleaned up the Site by a removal action.
EPA sought from the Respondents the recovery of the response costs. They pleaded an inability to pay. The Department of Justice concluded that the Respondents, together, would be able to pay a maximum of $18,000 towards the settlement of response costs.