Metal Recycling Industry Could Grind to a Halt, Warns UMRC

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): A coalition representing metal recycling industry across California has warned that the new regulatory proposals by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) would grind the metal recycling industry into a halt, thereby resulting in serious consequences.

According to press release issued by the United Metal Recyclers of California (UMRC), the agency action targets metal shredders and recyclers. The proposed new regulations would cause significant impacts on scrap metal operations in the state and would result in tons of metal ending up in state landfills.

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It must be noted that the DTSC had recently proposed drastic changes in the definition of metals that are classified under the toxic category. Currently, it regulates only the auto shredder residue (ASR) that remains after the automotive recycling process as toxic. However, the DTSC, in its latest proposal, plans to regulate every phase of shredding process by redefining what is hazardous waste. The recyclers will be charged specific fee at every phase of the shredding process.

Raul Riesgo, a spokesman for UMRC stated that every phase of metal recycling operation is already heavily regulated by various local, state and regional agencies. The additional regulations proposed by the DTSC could have significant negative impacts on the operations of its members, he noted.