# Schnitzer Steel: Facing Consequences for Scrap Metal Pollution - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/10/schnitzer-steel-facing-consequences-for-scrap-metal-pollution/ - Published: 2011-10-05T21:10:42-04:00 - Author: greenlivingguy ## Scrap Metal with a Dirty Secret: When Rust Meets Rain In the heart of New England, a storm is brewing. And it’s not just the kind that brings thunder and lightning. ## Scrap Metal: The $2.2 Million Wake-Up Call Picture this: Eleven scrap metal yards, spread across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Puerto Rico. Sounds harmless, right? Think again. Every time the skies open up, these junkyards turn into toxic cocktail shakers. The result? A nasty brew of lead, zinc, and copper, with a splash of petroleum, all headed straight for our rivers and coasts. But here’s the kicker: Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) just hit Schnitzer Steel with a $2.2 million settlement. That’s right, folks. The price tag for polluting just got real. ### From Rust to Riches: A Toxic Tale of Scrap Metal Remember Portsmouth, N.H.? For a scrap metal company there faced fines for turning rainwater into a toxic soup. Fast forward to today, and it seems the industry hasn’t quite cleaned up its act. #### Grimmel Industries Grimmel Industries is a metal scrap recycler located on the banks of the Piscataqua River in Portsmouth, N.H. Well now it faces a large fine. Essentially for allowing polluted stormwater to flow into surrounding waters. That’s also in violation of the Clean Water Act. Therefore, the USEPA is seeking a proposed penalty of up to $532,500 from the company. Stormwater monitoring by the property owner of Grimmel’s Portsmouth facility (Pease Development Authority) confirms stormwater discharges from Grimmel’s metal scrapyard operations contain metals. So they have also suspended solids and chemical oxygen demand which exceed permit benchmarks. Further, the stormwater discharges contain mercury and PCBs. So not good!  Especially since that causes or contributes to an exceedance of water quality standards. ![The generated image paints a stark picture of the environmental impact of scrap metal pollution. It's a tale of two halves, folks, and neither one is pretty. On one side, we see a scrap metal yard that could be anywhere in New Hampshire. Piles of rusty metal, old cars, and industrial equipment loom under a gloomy sky. It's not just an eyesore; it's an environmental disaster waiting to happen. And happen it does, every time the heavens open up. Look closely, and you'll see rainwater running off these metal mountains. But this isn't your garden-variety runoff. No, sir. This water carries a sinister cargo - a murky, oily sheen that's headed straight for our waterways. Speaking of waterways, cast your eyes to the other side of the image. That river? It's seen better days. The water's discolored, with an oily film floating on top like an unwelcome guest. It's a grim reminder of what happens when industrial waste meets Mother Nature. But wait, there's more. Dotted around the scene are bright yellow warning signs, screaming about water pollution and EPA regulations. They're like neon billboards in a grayscale world, impossible to ignore - unlike the regulations they represent, apparently. The muted colors throughout the image drive home the gravity of the situation. It's as if the vibrancy has been leeched from the landscape, much like how these pollutants leech into our environment. This image isn't just a picture; it's a wake-up call. It shows us why companies like the one in Portsmouth face hefty fines. It's a visual representation of why we need strict environmental regulations and why enforcement matters. Remember, folks, what happens in the scrapyard doesn't stay in the scrapyard. It flows into our rivers, our oceans, and ultimately, our lives. Let's hope this image - and the fines that inspired it - serve as a catalyst for change in the industry. Because clean water isn't just nice to have; it's essential for all of us.](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy. com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/IMG_6300-400x400.png?resize=400%2C400&ssl=1) ## The Ripple Effect Here’s the thing: This isn’t just about rusty metal and dirty water. It’s about our communities, our ecosystems, and yes, even our weekend fishing trips. “Everyone deserves access to nature, greenspace, and a healthy environment,” says Patrick Herron, Executive Director of Mystic River Watershed Association. And he’s not just blowing smoke. The settlement cash? It’s going straight to local groups fighting to keep our waters clean. Talk about putting your money where your mouth is. #### The Plot Thickens in Providence But wait, there’s more! Down in Providence, R.I., the plot’s thicker than a [New England](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/05/consider-our-water-resources-during-waters-worth-it-month/) chowder. Judge Brian Stern just dropped the gavel on Rhode Island Recycled Metals, ordering them to shut down – temporarily. Why? Two words: Fire hazard. “Fires happen,” the company’s attorney shrugged. But when your scrapyard’s lighting up more often than a Fourth of July sky, something’s gotta give. ### The Bottom Line So, what’s the takeaway? Simple. The scrap metal industry’s got some cleaning up to do. And it’s not just about scrubbing the rust off old cars. It’s about responsibility. It’s about innovation. And most importantly, it’s about keeping our waters as clear as a New England winter sky. Remember, folks: What goes into our scrapyards doesn’t stay in our scrapyards. It ends up in our rivers, our oceans, and ultimately, on our dinner plates. Let’s make sure the only thing rusty in New England is our autumn leaves, not our environmental policies. [1. CLF’s $2.2 Million Settlement](https://www.clf.org/newsroom/clf-schnitzer-steel-settle-pollution-lawsuit/) [2. Providence Scrapyard Closure](https://www.wpri.com/target-12/judge-orders-embattled-providence-scrap-metal-yard-closed-temporarily/) [3. New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services](https://www.des.nh.gov/) [4. GLG Source 1](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/08/eco-wave-power-to-start-new-wave-energy-projects-amid-pending-energy-legislation/) 5. GLG Source 26. GLG Source 3 **_(Boston, Mass. – October 5, 2011)_** **_EPA Water Permit Program in New England _**([http://www.epa.gov/region1/npdes](https://www3.epa.gov/region1/npdes/)) ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)