European Metal Recycling (EMR) has reopened its scrap metal shredder in Camden, New Jersey, after a New Jersey Superior Court judge lifted a temporary suspension of the facility's license, according to media reports. The company said its phased restart began on Monday, July 13, and that the site is expected to be fully operational by Friday, July 17.
As SteelOrbis previously reported, EMR suspended shredder operations following a two-alarm fire at the site on May 29, after which the city suspended the company's license.
The restart followed behind two controversial decisions in the same week. On Tuesday, July 7, Camden City Council voted unanimously against a settlement with EMR that would have allowed the company to reopen in phases. Several board members said the proposed security measures were not enough to restore trust in the company. “They have to do better. And they have the means,” said Arthur Barclay, vice president of the City Council.
The next day, a Superior Court judge ruled that the city had not followed state and municipal rules in blocking the restart and lifted the suspension, also ordering EMR to comply with a set of safety criteria before resuming operations.
The facility is currently operating under a new EMR framework called FireSMART, which stands for Source. Manage, Assess, Respond and Train. The company says it is designed to reduce lithium-ion
