DEP denies
U.S. Recycling expansion

By Diane Prokop
Times Staff Writer

U.S. Recycling will appeal a decision by the state Department of Environmental Protection denying its permit modification that sought to increase its maximum handling of municipal solid waste from 380 tons per day to 1,500 tons per day.
It was a decision that it had considered the decision for more than two years. The initial requested increase was for up to 2,000 tons.
The federal Environmental Protection Agency defines municipal solid waste as residential and light commercial trash composed of material including plastic, metal, wood, glass, food textiles and yard trimmings. It does not include explosives, residual waste or hazardous waste, radioactive materials, commercial wastes, fire or smoldering matter, or incinerated items or ash.
According to a June 24 DEP statement, a thorough review "determined that the company failed to demonstrate that the benefits of the project would outweigh the known and potential harms."
U.S. Recycling, at 6101 Tacony St., was already taking steps to appeal the DEP decision the same day that it was issued, according to David Newman, the firm’s vice president of operations.
"The DEP has not considered everything before them," he said.
Newman added that his company has been a big supporter of the neighborhood, an employer of hundreds of people, and supports businesses in the neighborhood.
According to DEP program manager Jim Wentzel, U.S. Recycling has 30 days to file an appeal with the hearing board, which would adjudicate the case. He explained that judges sit on the quasi-administrative board as if it was a court and render a decision, and render written opinions based on legal precedent. If either side should appeal the decision, the next step would be Commonwealth Court.
According to the DEP statement, U.S. Recycling is located less than a half-mile from an environmental justice (EJ) community, which triggers an enhanced public participation process.
DEP spokeswoman Deborah Fries explained that the census tract designation indicates a 30 percent minority population or 20 percent low-income population.
"It’s a trigger for any new permit review for additional public input because often times EJ districts are often overburdened," Fries said.
The DEP held a community meeting in January 2006 and a public hearing a year later.
U.S. Recycling is located on property owned by Newman & Co. Inc, a paperboard manufacturer operating at the same location for almost 100 years. While the plant is located in Wissinoming, it’s just one block from the Tacony line and a neighborhood looking forward to riverfront development.
Lou Iatarola, president of the Tacony Civic Association — which has been vocal in its opposition to the facility’s expansion, citing traffic, environmental and safety concerns — was pleased to learn of the DEP’s decision.
"It would have made things so much more complex down there in terms of truck traffic, lack of safeguards…," Iatarola said.
He credited state Rep. Michael McGeehan (D-173rd dist.) and state Sen. Michael Stack (D-5th dist.) for their support of the community’s opposition. The civic president also paid tribute to the Newman company.
"In general, they have been a good neighbor. We hope to continue to work with them. They are very good business people and people we like to have in the community and responsive on a number of other fronts," Iatarola said. ••
Reporter Diane Prokop can be reached at 215-354-3036 or dprokop@phillynews.com