Gaeta Recycling Co., Inc. has applied for a permit from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to expand its Solid Waste Transfer Station and Material Recovery Facility (TS/MRF) located at 278 West Railway Avenue, Paterson, NJ. This expansion would increase the facility’s daily waste capacity from 720 tons to 1,200 tons, posing risks to our community's health and environment.
Join us in opposing this expansion! Here's how you can take action:
Attend the Public Hearing - RSVP Here
A Public Hearing is being held on June 12, 2024 from 6-8 PM at 282 West Railway Ave., Paterson, NJ 07503. If you plan to attend either in-person or virtually, please RSVP here. For Virtual Attendance click here.
A 60-day public comment period is now open and ends on July 12, 2024. Please add your name to our petition here and join us in demanding a healthier future for our communities!
Why We Must Oppose This Expansion
1. History of Violations
Gaeta Recycling has a troubling record of environmental and safety violations, including:
- Improper Waste Storage: Gaeta Recycling Co., Inc. has been observed storing solid waste in an unsanitary manner, leaving it exposed to the elements and susceptible to runoff. Improperly stored waste emits foul odors that can permeate surrounding areas, impacting the quality of life for nearby residents.
- Failure to Maintain Vehicles: Gaeta Recycling Co., Inc. has consistently neglected proper vehicle maintenance which includes violations ranging from spilling and leaking on streets, marking each solid waste vehicle or failing to carry current NJDEP registration certificate.
- Unreported Fire: In 2023, the release of air contaminants reached levels that could have harmed public health through a fire started at Gaeta’s Facility. They did not inform the NJDEP of this incident.
2. Proximity to Sensitive Areas
The facility is within one mile of 21 schools, hospitals, and childcare facilities. The proposed expansion could increase harmful emissions, such as particulate matter and methyl mercaptan, exacerbating existing environmental stressors and health risks for nearby residents.
3. Environmental and Public Health Concerns
The increase in daily waste capacity could lead to:
- Increased toxic emissions, associated with lung disease and heart disease
- Higher traffic from heavy-duty trucks, worsening air quality
- Greater risk of safety incidents like fires and spills
- Multiple instances of failing to store solid waste properly
- Commingling solid waste with recycled materials
- Disproportionate Impact on Overburdened Communities
The Gaeta facility is located in a community with a majority of people of color and low-income that already face significant environmental burdens. The expansion would further exacerbate these issues, disproportionately affecting vulnerable residents.
Your participation is crucial. Let your family and neighbors know about this. Urge them to attend the public hearing and sign our petition. Together, we can protect our community from the negative impacts of this proposed expansion. Let’s stand up for a healthier, safer environment for all residents!
For more information or to get involved, please contact X Braithwaite.