This year Centro SWU was invited to join a San Antonio task force to reevaluate and update compliance codes for Metal Recycling Entities (MREs) and Used Auto Recycling Plants (UARPs). A Centro SWU staff member joined the task force and launched a campaign to get the task force to agree to stricter regulations for these kinds of recycling plants. So far we’ve had 18 people sign the petition!

The last time the City of San Antonio updated these compliance codes was back in 2012-that’s 12 years ago! A lot has changed and technology has advanced in those 12 years. For example: there is now widespread use of lithium batteries and those kinds of batteries are not addressed in the current compliance codes so, we want to get up to date info and regulations passed.

Something else to consider is that MREs and UARPs are often situated in or near residential areas and are sources of pollution. During the recycling process the recycled metals and materials are often shredded which releases heavy metals (such as nickel, cadmium, and cobalt) and contaminants into the air. There are sometimes leaks and fires at these kinds of recycling centers as well and that can cause groundwater contaminations. These heavy metals are known to cause health problems such as lung fibrosis, asthma, contact dermatitis, gastrointestinal diseases, and more. By asking for strict compliance codes for MREs and UARPs, we are asking them to be good neighbors to the community around them.

While working on this task force, we’ve talked with our members who consistently ask for environmental justice education and advocacy. By highlighting this issue we hope to bring awareness to what is happening and empower Centro SWU members and the community to make demands from City Council and City of San Antonio government. The hope is that stricter compliance codes will hold MREs and URAPs to a standard that will keep nearby neighbors safe.

Ways to get involved:

Make a public comment at the next task force meeting at 1901 S Alamo

December 9th 9am-11am
December 18th 9am-11am
January 10th 9am-1pm
January 24th 9am-1pm

Email your comment to the task force admin team at MREUpdate@SanAntonio.gov
Sign our petition here
Contact your City Council representative and urge them to support stricter compliance codes for MREs and UARPs