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Request that could lead to reforms of rules overseeing recycling facilities advances to City of San Antonio Governance Committee on March 20.
Greg Harman
On February 29, 2024, dozens of concerned community members crowded into a Southwest-side restaurant to hear updates on the case of Monterrey Iron & Metal, a recycling facility with a history of polluting fires. They didn’t all leave happy, as the video above attests. Many are calling for stronger policing of the Monterrey and the metal recycling sector in the city and supporting an effort being advanced by D5 Councilmember Terri Castillo to create a task force to review and recommend reforms to the San Antonio Code of Ordinances for auto and metal recyclers.
From the CCR:
Used Automotive Parts Recyclers (UAPR) and Metal Recycling Entities (MRE) are facilities key to our city's recycling ecosystem and circular economy-many of them have been part of the community for decades. While they are part of what is considered the sustainable economy, the process of recycling used automotive parts and metals often results in serious pollution for the surrounding area that can cause detrimental health issues in people. Air emissions such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter and ozone, lead, mercury, and other hazardous air pollutants stem from much of the work UAPRs and MREs conduct during the breakdown process of onsite materials. These emissions, especially with long-term exposure, can lead to cancer, respiratory diseases, liver damage, neurological damage, and other dangerous health effects. While hazardous air emissions are most dangerous to people working and living near these facilities, they also threaten the health of all residents throughout the city of San Antonio as air pollutants can travel can travel hundreds of miles away from their original source
On March 20, 2024, the CCR is expected to be considered for the first time at the City’s Governance Committee. It was originally submitted for consideration in November, 2023.
Deceleration joined a letter requesting Mayor Ron Nirenberg and San Antonio Council members support the CCR and work to improve air quality around these facilities. To date, that letter circulated by Debbie Ponce of the nonprofit Public Citizen has been signed by three state leaders (Rep. Josey Garcia, Rep. Elizabeth Campos, and Sen. José Menéndez), several environmental NGOs, and more than eight neighborhood associations.
A public petition by Public Citizens supporting the effort is still collecting signatures.
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