By Paul Ploumis
November 30, 2016 07:02:16 AM
SPOKANE (Scrap Monster): Owego, New York-based Upstate Shredding-Weitsman Recycling has announced its decision to find a new site in an industrial zone for its proposed Owego scrap metal sorting facility. The company had earlier planned to locate the facility at the recently purchased Owego site on Route 434 formerly owned by 84 Lumber. According to Adam Weitsman, company owner, it has been decided to relocate the facility, taking into account the concerns expressed by participants during the zoning board of appeals meeting. It must be noted that the Town of Owego Zoning Board of Appeals had granted unanimous approval towards construction of the facility at the idled lumber yard.
Adam Weitsman in a Facebook post noted that he was very much excited to have won the approval for the site. However, the people’s concerns about the potential harmful effects of the facility have made him change his mind. Also, he appreciated the people for showing respect to him throughout the session, even while speaking passionately on a heated subject like this that could probably impact their livelihood.
The residents in the proposed facility’s neighborhood had raised concerns over potential adverse impacts of increased noise and traffic that could be caused by the operation of the facility. In addition, owners of nearby businesses expressed fears that the large ticket facility would seriously harm the small commercial and residential businesses currently operating in the region. Weitsman stated that the facility will now be located in a more appropriate site in an industrial area in Owego.
During the public hearing session attended by around 35 residents, Weitsman had assured that the proposed sorting facility will have zero impact on the neighborhood. He had termed the fears expressed by residents and businesses as ‘baseless’ since the company would take all necessary steps to ensure that the project has minimal material impact on the neighborhood. Further, he had promised that adjacent small businesses will not be impacted by the operation of the facility.
The company had planned to enclose the facility in a new 20,000 square foot building within the 3.5 acre former 84 Lumber site, which it had purchased earlier during the year. The state-of-the-art sorting facility was supposed to incorporate new technology capable of processing shredder-generated zorba in order to separate out aluminum from heavy metals such as copper, brass and zinc. The proposed advanced magnetic and sensor technology by SGM Magnetics is said to be capable for processing up to 15 tons of zorba per hour which will be used to produce high quality commodities. Also, the company had plans to feed materials from its shredder facilities in Owego and New Castle, Pennsylvania into the new facility.
About Upstate Shredding-Weitsman Recycling
Upstate Shredding-Weitsman Recycling is the largest privately held scrap metal processor on the East Coast, operating 18 locations throughout New York and Pennsylvania. The company has a number of locations in northeastern United States, including two facilities in both Owego and Ithaca, as well as locations in Binghamton, Brant, Jamestown, Hornell, Rochester, Syracuse, Watertown, Albany and Allegany, New York; and Scranton and New Castle, Pennsylvania. It is one of the top recycling companies of the world.
