Despite promises of improvements, Rhode Island Recycled Metals continues to face skepticism from locals over its environmental and safety record.
Five months have passed since thick plumes of smoke billowed from Rhode Island Recycled Metals in South Providence, but the fallout from those fires lingers in the community. During a tense two-hour meeting at the West End Community Center on Tuesday, local residents expressed their frustration over the scrapyard’s ongoing environmental hazards and safety risks.
The meeting, which was part of the state’s environmental requirements for public input on the company’s cleanup plan, centered on efforts to address hazardous levels of metals like lead and arsenic found in the soil around the scrapyard. Yet, despite assurances from the company, many residents remain skeptical. Their mistrust stems from the scrapyard’s long history of pollution and fires — including two major fires this year alone.
Frustration Remains Despite Promises of Cleanup
Ellen Tuzzolo, a South Providence resident, voiced a common concern when she said, “I go to sleep thinking about what would happen if a giant fire in that scrapyard sets one of those jet fuel tanks on fire.” Located just a quarter-mile from a major petroleum storage facility, the scrapyard’s proximity to such dangerous infrastructure only intensifies residents’ anxieties.
The public meeting was held to discuss the company’s compliance with court-mandated cleanup measures. In recent months, Rhode Island Recycled Metals has been under scrutiny for both air and soil contamination, stemming from its history of pollution. While the company has made improvements, including the installation of infrared cameras and a fire suppression system, many local residents feel these measures are insufficient.
“I don’t trust them,” said Monica Huertas, a mother and activist who has witnessed the effects of the scrapyard’s operations on her community. Huertas recalled how her children suffered asthma attacks in April, shortly before learning of a fire that had broken out at the scrapyard overnight.
The scrapyard’s fires have reignited concerns about its safety protocols. The second fire in July, which followed the April blaze, led to a month-long shutdown of the scrapyard. This was followed by additional court-imposed safety measures, but the damage had already been done in the eyes of many locals.
Court-Ordered Oversight and Continued Legal Battles
Despite some progress since the fire safety measures were implemented in August, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the state’s Office of the Attorney General have continued to press for stronger oversight of the scrapyard’s operations. Rick Land, the court-appointed special master overseeing the site, noted in his recent report that while the scrapyard’s fire safety efforts have improved, the company still has not fully complied with environmental cleanup requirements.
In his November 4 report, Land requested that the court grant him more control over the scrapyard’s environmental remediation and permitting process. This was prompted by the company’s history of environmental violations and its failure to engage in the necessary regulatory processes for a full cleanup. Land pointed out that the site had been used as a metals recycling facility for years without meeting the required environmental standards.
“The company has not until much more recently engaged in the required regulatory process to address site conditions,” Land wrote. His request for increased control over the cleanup process is in direct contrast to the company’s claims that they are moving forward with necessary improvements.
The state’s Attorney General’s office, which originally sued the scrapyard in 2015 over water pollution and oil spills, continues to push for a court-mandated receivership. This would place the scrapyard under more stringent oversight than what the special master currently provides. Despite the ongoing legal battles, Rhode Island Superior Court Judge Brian Stern has yet to make a ruling on the matter.
Community Doubts and the Road Ahead
While the company insists that it is cleaning up its act, residents remain unconvinced. For many, the company’s promises feel like empty words, particularly given the scrapyard’s long history of fires, pollution, and legal battles. The company’s recent improvements are seen by some as too little, too late.
At the community meeting, Justice Gaines, a resident of South Providence, reflected the sentiments of many attendees when he said, “We’ve been told for years that things are getting better, but nothing really changes.” The scrapyard’s past failures have fostered deep distrust in the community, and with good reason. For residents, the environmental and health risks posed by the scrapyard have become too great to ignore.
As the legal proceedings continue and cleanup efforts are implemented, the future of Rhode Island Recycled Metals remains uncertain. Will the company’s promises of improvement be enough to repair its damaged reputation and restore the community’s faith? Only time will tell, but for now, South Providence residents remain wary.
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