Speakers oppose plastics recycling near Eloy
The board also saw a video on the county’s new “air burner” to efficiently dispose of large volumes of brush, trimmings and mulch.
SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Pinal County Board of Supervisors heard objections to Freepoint Eco-Systems’ plans for a plastics recycling plant in the Eloy area at the board’s Feb. 18 meeting.
Kevin Greene of Tucson said Freepoint’s existing facility in Hebron, Ohio, “has accumulated a troubling record of air permit violations” in the past year, and the Ohio environmental protection agency has issued three notices of violation.
“There have also been repeated cases where pollution control malfunctioned and the regulators were not notified in a timely manner. This pattern raises concerns about Freepoint’s ability to operate safely.”
Across the country, similar operations “have struggled with technical instability including fires, equipment failures and unplanned shutdowns,” Green said.
Tom Bean of Casa Grande said residents may face high levels of pollution and risks of cancer, asthma and heart disease. This kind of plastics recycling is a high-risk, unproven technology, and Freepoint wants to build one 1½ miles from downtown Eloy, Bean said.
Ralph Atchue of Eloy said battles for clean air and water are still being fought across the country, and local governments are responsible for the safety and well-being of their residents. “Elected officials must err on the side of caution when it comes to potential serious health issues stemming from businesses within their jurisdictions.
“Keep in mind, Pinal County already experiences higher than the average levels of unhealthy air quality.” Atchue said he finds the inaction so far by the Eloy City Council and Pinal County Board of Supervisors “to border on negligence.” He noted both panels’ willingness to hear lengthy presentations from Freepoint with limited or no rebuttal from experts or the public.
“How can you claim to be doing your duty to protect the public you serve while shutting out the public you serve?” Atchue asked.
The board also saw a video on the county’s new “air burner” to efficiently dispose of large volumes of brush, trimmings and mulch.
Courtesy: www.pinalcentral.com