Chicago's health department has issued Sims Metal a new permit for it shredder after determining the recycler has kept air pollution below levels that could harm public health.
The lower west side Chicago scrap yard faced community backlash throughout the review process because of potential effects the shredder's air emissions could have on the surrounding community.
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) said it will allow Sims to continue operating the shredder because the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that the company for more than a year kept air pollution from the shredder below levels that could harm human health.
The permit is retroactive and covers 2021 to November 2024. Sims, a bulk scrap exporter and metal recycler based in Australia, had been operating on an expired permit while the EPA and Chicago government considered a renewal. CDPH said Sims has already applied for another three-year shredder term while it continues operating on the permit issued on Monday.
Dozens of community members opposed Sims' permit application in public comments. Some noted that the state of Illinois sued Sims in 2021 over air pollution at the scrap yard.
Southside Recycling, which has failed to obtain a shredder permit in Chicago, said in public comments last month that the Chicago government has held it to a higher standard than Sims.
Sims said the EPA "has delivered our Pilsen facility a clean bill of health after extensive air monitoring, and we remain fully committed to continuing to achieve the City's operational expectations".
