EPA Issued Enforcement Alert to Metal Recycling Facilities

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has announced metal recycling facilities as its next target for enforcement of Clean Air Act. The agency noted that it has cited several instances of emission violations at metal recycling facilities that house auto and scrap metal shredders.

According to EPA, violations in connection with excess VOC emissions were detected at several facilities. More than 25 emission tests to measure VOCs were conducted at scrap metal shredders over the past fifteen years. Though emission data varies for these shredders, historic test data indicates that VOC emissions from shredding operations exceeded threshold limits, thus highlighting the need for stricter emission controls. The typical shredding operations were found to emit VOCs at the rate of 20-200 lbs of VOCs per hour, with recent rates likely to be higher than this.

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EPA recommended that the owners and operators of scrap metal shredders should take necessary action to depollute scrap materials before they enter the shredder, accurately estimate VOC emissions and reach out to local air permitting officials for timely assistance.

EPA’s action is in line with the Biden administration’s ongoing impetus to environmental justice.