Global Metals and Electronics Recycler Ordered to Cease Discharge of Toxic Pollutants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ordered Sims Metal Management, reportedly the world’s largest metals and electronics recycler, to comply with federal Clean Water Act laws following inspections that found evidence of unlawful discharges of PCBs, mercury, lead, copper and zinc into San Francisco Bay. The company’s South Bay facility in the Port of Redwood City, Calif., is home to one of the largest metal shredders in the area.

“The EPA is committed to protecting the bay by ensuring compliance with environmental permits,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s regional administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “Companies such as Sims Metal Management, engaged in recycling our finite resources, must abide by the Clean Water Act.”

According to records provided by the Port of Redwood City, from July 2010 to June 2011 20 large vessels picked up and transported an average of 22,000 tons of shredded material from the facility, bound for global destinations such as China. The largest transport during the specified time period was 35,000 tons of shredded material.

In March 2011, EPA inspected the facility to determine compliance with its industrial storm water permit. Enforcement officers found evidence at the facility’s shipping and rail receiving areas that pollutants had been discharged to Redwood Creek, a direct tributary to San Francisco Bay. In August 2011, EPA again inspected the facility and took samples of debris and soils in the areas that flow to San Francisco Bay, where the facility conducts shipping and receiving activities. The results of the samples demonstrated elevated PCBs, mercury, lead, copper and zinc.

Sims Metal Management acknowledged receipt of the U.S. EPA Order on Dec. 21, 2011. The order requires Sims to submit a revised storm water pollution prevention plan and to update monitoring and sampling within 30 days of the order; and to develop and implement storm water pollution counter measures. EPA’s order also requires Sims Metal Management to develop and submit a plan within 90 days to eliminate the discharges to Redwood Creek within one year.

Source: U.S. EPA