DEP to Host Environmental Justice Informational Meeting on Proposed Metal Shredder

NORRISTOWN -- The Department of Environmental Protection is providing the public an opportunity to learn about Eastern Metal Recycling Terminal LLC’s plans to build and operate a metal shredding and processing facility at the former Foamex site in Eddystone Borough, Delaware County, by holding a public meeting from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 27, at Lighthouse Hall, 1401 East 9th St., Eddystone.

Eastern Metal Recycling Terminal, a subsidiary of Camden Iron & Metal, Inc., has proposed relocating its Philadelphia car-crushing operation to Eddystone Borough, an environmental justice community.

DEP requires permit applicants in environmental justice communities to provide residents with opportunities to hear about and to comment on the project. An environmental justice community is one in which 30 percent of residents are members of racial and ethnic minorities or 20 percent live in poverty.

DEP representatives from air, waste management, water quality and watershed management programs will answer questions about the permit application review process and listen to public comment on the company’s applications.

Moreover, DEP has requested company representatives to attend and present its proposal to the community. 

EMR has submitted four applications to DEP for permits that are required for it to construct and operate the proposed facility, including:

• An air quality plan approval to operate a shredder, conveyors and stockpiles;  
• An individual National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit for stormwater discharge associated with construction activities;
• An individual NPDES permit for discharging stormwater from industrial activities; and
• A water obstruction and encroachment general permit (GP-4) for building an outfall along the Delaware River.

All permit applications are currently under review.