Proposed Shredder Project in Arizona Receives Go Ahead

Southwest Metals, which has been seeking to build and operate an auto shredder in Casa Grande, Ariz., has received approval by the City Council in a 6-1 decision on March 1. The decision follows an extensive debate over the last several years, with opponents of the proposed shredder, including a neighboring business, filing appeals with various agencies in opposition to the project.

The City Council vote was an affirmation of an approval made by the city’s Planning & Zoning board several months ago. The auto shredder facility is on slightly more than 16 acres and is zoned for heavy industry. However, the facility was required to obtain a conditional use permit to operate the shredder.

A representative from Casa Grande notes that the auto shredder is nowhere near the size of an mega shredder, which has been a problem for many residents in other parts of the country.

While City Council approved the plan, there are a number of requirements that need to be included in the plan before the company can open the auto shredder, including the company erecting a berm, and designing a proper traffic flow pattern that ensures that truck traffic will not be idling on city streets.

Southwest Metals contends that constant monitoring will be done, which will meet all county and state air quality standards. Opponents say the very fact that the shredder would be so heavily regulated is proof that it is dangerous and doesn’t belong here.

According to local press reports, Kay Bigelow, an attorney representing Southwest Metals, told the council that the air quality permit calls for inspections and stipulates that particles cannot be allowed to escape from the shredder site.