Beacon Recycling, a recycling company with facilities in Muskegon, is asking to install a new scrap metal shredder that would break down cars, appliances, and other metal-containing materials and separate waste material from the recycled metals. The state is asking for public comment on an air permit needed for the project. (MLive file photo)Rachel Ellis | MLive

MUSKEGON, MI – A recycling company in Muskegon wants to install a new scrap metal shredder that would break down cars and appliances.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is holding a public comment period for an air permit that would be needed for the project that Beacon Recycling Inc. requested in December 2021.

Beacon Recycling is a locally-owned and operated industrial scrap management company that has a total of three locations in Muskegon, Grand Rapids and Traverse City. The state is accepting public comment on the air permit until Monday, Aug. 22, according to a state news release.

The proposed metal shredder would take metal-containing materials, like cars and appliances, and break them down into smaller pieces. The facility would use a water injection system to control dust emission and limit the amount of emissions from the shredder, according to a fact sheet about the proposal.

State officials say the shredder could add contaminants to air in the area, which is why the company needs to first obtain an air use permit.

Chuku Oje, an environmental permit engineer for the state, said a permit would help ensure the company meets the state’s air quality requirements. For example, if the company obtains a permit, it would be limited in how many air pollutants the scrap metal shredder would be allowed to emit.

The permit would also limit how many cars and other appliances the company would be allowed to shred per year, according to information provided by the state.

The state’s Air Quality Division used a computer air model to estimate the metal shredder’s impact on the area, according to the fact sheet.

Computer modeling showed the facility would meet the state’s air quality standards and is not expected to make existing breathing problems worse in the area.

The state provided a proposed project summary that provides a detailed overview of what Beacon is requesting, the contents of the draft permit, and what this may mean to local residents.

Steve Bolhuis, vice president of Beacon Recycling, said the shredder would serve as a huge benefit for the Muskegon community. The expansion would create 10 new jobs at the facility, he said.

“This exciting expansion project will allow Beacon to upgrade the current metal processing systems we have historically operated in Muskegon, to a state of the art metals sizing and sortation system,” Bolhuis told MLive in an emailed statement.

“This investment in technology will support Beacon in diverting recyclables from the landfill into the recycling stream and will be a major asset to providing a more sustainable future for our community.”

After the state’s public comment period, the Air Quality Division will review all the input received and then decide whether to approve or deny Beacon’s application. The state could also decide to modify the permit’s requirements based on the comments received.

Here’s how residents can provide input to the state on Beacon Recycling’s air use permit request:

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