Alter Shredder in Nebraska Clears a Hurdle

Norfolk, Neb., Planning Commission approves auto shredder for Alter Trading.

July 11, 2012
Recycling Today Staff
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The Planning Commission for the city of Norfolk, Neb., has approved Alter Metal Recycling’s plan to locate an auto shredder at its scrap processing yard there. Alter Metal Recycling is a subsidiary of St. Louis-based Alter Trading Corp..

The next step in the approval process is going in front of the Norfolk City Council. Trent Howard, a representative with the city of Norfolk, says the company will likely go in front of the city council at its first meeting in August. However, Howard says, it is likely there will be appeals by opponents and more protracted discussions before the company is able to break ground on the auto shredder.

The company will be installing a Metso 88-by-116, 5,000-horsepower auto shredder with a smart water injection system, as well as cyclone cleaning system at the finished product line. The company presently operates a shear on the site.

Howard says the company will pour concrete on the site and will include a retention pond to capture the run-off water from the site.

In approving the auto shredder, the Planning Commission has stipulated a number of conditions. Alter will have to:

  • resurface the roads leading to the yard and provide dust control;
  • operate within state regulations governing airborne particulates;
  • limit the shredder’s hours of operation to 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday;
  • place measures for mosquito control in the retention pond area;
  • install a fence for safety and aesthetic reasons; and
  • file a stormwater pollution-prevention plan and authorization to discharge with the city prevention manager.

The company says the auto shredder residue generated will be shipped off site to be used as ground cover for landfills.

In related news, Columbus Metal Industries (CMI) is seeking to open a scrap metal yard adjacent to Alter’s yard. The proposed CMI facility is around 2.2 acres.

CMI operates an auto shredder less than 60 miles away, and it is expected CMI will use its Norfolk facility as a feeder yard for its auto shredder.

CMI had originally submitted the request to the Planning Commission for its July 3 meeting. However, the company has temporarily rescinded the application as it seeks to obtain the proper signatures from a railroad line that owns the land.

The facilities are both in a neighborhood that is zoned for heavy industry.