About Sunset Park Material Recycling Facility
Sims Metal Management Municipal Recycling (SMR) is a division of Sims Metal Management, the world's largest recycling company. SMR is the processor of all the curbside metal, glass and plastic (MGP) recyclables collected by the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) throughout the five boroughs.
In 2004, Sims Metal Management was selected by DSNY to be its long term recycling partner, providing processing and marketing services for all of the MGP and a portion of the paper collected by DSNY. The City selected the 30th Street Pier in the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal in Sunset Park, Brooklyn as the location for a new state-of-the-art recycling facility to be built and operated by SMR.
Why Sunset Park?
The 11-acre 30th Street Pier is removed from residential areas. It is the northernmost pier of the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal.
The 88-acre industrial South Brooklyn Marine Terminal offers excellent water access for barges and will have active rail service.
SMR already operates recycling facilities in Queens, the Bronx and Jersey City, and the City plans to open a new Marine Transfer Station to handle recyclables generated in Manhattan. The construction of a new facility in Sunset Park, Brooklyn will allow the City to further reduce truck traffic by minimizing the distance that DSNY collection trucks travel between their pick-up routes and SMR receiving facilities. The new facility in Sunset Park will allow SMR to expand its network of water-served facilities and grow its barge-based system of transporting recyclables on the water and not on City streets.
What are the Benefits?
Job Creation: The recycling facility will create approximately 100 permanent jobs at all skill levels; hiring from the local community will be a priority. The plant will produce raw materials for local processing and manufacturing businesses, helping keep and attract good local manufacturing jobs.
Environmental Quality: The new recycling facility will utilize sustainable building practices and best available technologies from around the world. "Green" design will include: energy-efficient features such as green roofs, natural lighting and renewable energy production; on-site stormwater treatment; water efficient landscaping; and the use of clean fuels, such as natural gas and ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel in on-site equipment. Processing operations will be enclosed to avoid dust, odors or litter impacts.
Public Education on Recycling: The facility will include a Visitor Education Center where school groups and other visitors will have the opportunity to learn about all aspects of recycling.
Reduced Truck Traffic: The New York City curbside recycling program relies on SMR's network of waterfront facilities and in-harbor barge fleet to transport metal, glass and plastic between facilities, thereby minimizing truck traffic throughout Brooklyn and the City. In addition to reducing the travel distances of DSNY collection trucks, the 30th Street Pier will make extensive use of barges and waterways for both inbound and outbound recyclables.
Please sign up for our mailing list to find out the latest information on the Sunset Park Material Recycling Facility. In addition to regular postings on its web site, SMR will establish a Community Advisory Board to provide a regular forum for communication with the Sunset Park community. This Advisory Board will be open to all Sunset Park residents.