Metals recycling company EMR Ltd. reportedly has restarted an auto shredding plant in Camden, New Jersey, that has drawn unwelcome attention this year because of fires at the facility.
An announcement issued by the Camden city government refers to a four-alarm fire that took place in February at the site on South Front Street, while a regional media report indicates fire fighters responded to a two-alarm fire at the yard in late May.
The two-page government announcement says that following the February fire, Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen and his administration negotiated a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and settlement with EMR.
The agreement entails the recycling company allocating $6.7 million “to benefit the residents who live in the waterfront south neighborhood and the surrounding community.”
Several city officials are quoted in the announcement, along with EMR USA CEO Jospeh Balzano, who remarks, “This MOU strengthens our commitment to the waterfront south neighborhood and underscores my dedication to keeping our site safe. This is a long-term agreement in partnership with the city to deliver positive change to residents of Camden who were adversely impacted by the fire on Feb. 21.”
“I applaud the mayor and his administration for following through and negotiating this agreement with EMR,” says Camden City Council President Angel Fuentes. “It was a terrible event, and a fire of that magnitude should never occur again. I feel EMR has responded appropriately by making this investment and agreeing to make these operational changes.”
Of the $6.7 million pledged, $4.5 million will be distributed in 2026 and $450,000 will be paid annually during the following five five years. Some of the funds will be assigned to improving and enhancing the fire suppression system at the EMR facility and reimbursing the city fire department for expenses accrued battling previous blazes, says the city.
Fire suppression at the EMR facility will be certified by a fire safety engineer and reviewed by the Camden City Fire Marshall and Department, according to the city.
Additionally, EMR has agreed to work and communicate with stakeholders in the waterfront south neighborhood to invest more than a $3 million into the community “based upon recommendations of a working group established to advise EMR.”
The recycling company also has agreed to develop a text messaging notification system for residents and to conduct an annual open house at the shredder yard for community leaders. “In addition, EMR will be investing money into neighborhood cleanups throughout waterfront south and other surrounding areas,” states the document.
The MOU announcement also quotes a legislator who says additional policies may yet emerge. “This is certainly a step in the right direction says Camden Assemblyman William Moen. “In parallel, I’ve introduced several pieces of legislation designed to hold corporations accountable and better protect communities across our state.”
According to a report from Philadelphia-based WPVI-TV, EMR resumed operations at the Camden location on Monday, July 13, with the intention of ramping up to full capacity by this Friday.
The same online article says EMR’s license to operate the plant was temporarily suspended after the two-alarm fire on May 29, and reports there have been a dozen fires at the Camden shredder yard “over the past five years.”
WPVI-TV also quotes an EMR statement indicating the company is instituting a new operational framework to reduce lithium-ion battery fire risks, including continuous monitoring and an advanced fire suppression system.
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