Sims Metal Management controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
Back to profile1 entries
2020
Sims reaches Rhode Island pollution settlement
Settlement
Sims Metal Management and its subsidiary SMM New England Corp. reached a legal agreement over air-pollution and permit violations at Rhode Island facilities. The agreement, filed in court on August 12, requires payments totaling $875,000 and sets conditions including installation of pollution-control equipment and obtaining a permit. Rhode Island officials said the operations emitted pollutants linked to health problems; Sims said the dispute concerned the type of permit required.
Company response
Clarification — Sims Metal Management
The issue here was our desire to be responsible members of the community, even though we continue to believe that we did not require the type of permit alleged in the complaint, we wanted to put this issue past us and focus on how best to go forward in Rhode Island in a COVID and post-COVID world
Source excerpt
Sims was fined at least $875,000 for emitting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other pollutants linked to health problems from its two Rhode Island facilities.
SMM New England Corp., a subsidiary of the global metal-scrap processor Sims Metal Management, has been operating illegally in Johnston since 2013 and releasing pollution that has been linked to cancer and respiratory illnesses, according to Rhode Island officials.
The legal agreement was filed Aug. 12 in Providence County Superior Court by the attorney general, DEM, and EPA.