Sims Metal Shredder Faces Opposition on Renewal of Permit

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Pilsen residents have raised opposition against operations of a scrap metal shredder by Sims Metal Management, which has been in operations for several years now at 2500 S. Paulina St.

The community urged the City authorities not to renew permit for the facility, which they claim has been responsible for harmful emissions. A City Council resolution called upon the Council to include a cumulative impact study of the neighbourhood, while processing the application for permit renewal.

ALSO READ:

Sims Limited Reporting Suite Highlights Key Sustainability Milestones

Sims Limited Honoured for its Commitment to Global Compliance

The protests are based on long-pending allegations against the company for not providing critical data about emissions from the shredder facility. Earlier in April this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had directed Sims Metal Management to install air monitors at the site and submit emissions data to it on a regular basis for assessment. However, testing results during the final week of September revealed that the monitoring equipment had failed to work as designed.

Meantime, the City Department of Health clarified that a decision will be taken only upon receipt of reliable data from the EPA authorities, following which it plans to conduct a public community meeting on granting permit, in which residents could raise their specific concerns regarding emissions from the plant.