EMR Advanced Recycling Releases ‘Noxious’ Smoke, Emissions into Residential Areas, Class Action Lawsuit Says

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EMR Advanced Recycling, LLC faces a proposed class action lawsuit that alleges the scrap metal processor’s two Camden, New Jersey, facilities continually release noxious odors and harmful air particulates into nearby residential areas as a result of improper emissions management and reoccurring fires.

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The 28-page lawsuit alleges that EMR Advanced Recycling has failed to take adequate measures to prevent its 1400 South Front Street scrapyard and an associated facility at 1500 South 6th Street from emitting noxious fumes and air particulates that physically invade nearby areas. Per the case, EMR’s facilities are surrounded by residential properties that are plagued by fugitive emissions stemming not only from the defendant’s auto and scrap metal recycling, but from recurring fires and explosions, some of which have forced proposed class members to evacuate their homes and schools and/or shelter in place.

According to the environmental lawsuit, EMR’s Camden scrapyard accepts a variety of metal scraps, including vehicles, batteries, appliances and aluminum, which are processed by way of an industrial “hammermill” shredder to separate ferrous metals from non-ferrous metals.

 Per the case, scrap metal shredders such as the one at EMR’s facility are widely known to contribute to excess emissions, as the shredders generate extreme heat that can cause non-metal materials that may be included in the scrap materials, such as plastics, paints, sealants and more, to vaporize and be released into the air as malodorous volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Indeed, emissions from the EMR facilities may contain particulate matter and hazardous air pollutants like lead, zinc, cadmium, mercury and others, the case says, along with an “overwhelming” noxious smell.

A properly designed, maintained and operated scrapyard will “capture, remove, and dispose” of noxious airborne emissions, the suit stresses, alleging that EMR has failed to take the necessary steps to prevent fugitive emissions like odors and smoke from escaping into the nearby community.

The suit explains that EMR Advanced Recycling’s facility has been the source of several fires and explosions since January 2021. Smoke from a major fire that occurred on February 21, 2025, which could be seen as far as 15 miles away, enveloped the city and compelled the Camden City Commissioners to issue a shelter-in-place warning due to the offensive emissions, the complaint says.

Meanwhile, the emissions have physically invaded the plaintiffs’ and proposed class members’ properties, preventing them from opening windows or enjoying outdoor spaces, the filing relays.

The case adds that New Jersey and the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) filed a civil lawsuit against EMR and its affiliates on January 12, 2026, alleging that the frequent smoke, fires, and air pollution from the facility constitute a public nuisance.

EMR has a “well-documented pattern” of failing to control its emissions, with the NJDEP having issued at least three notices of violation to the company between July 2020 and June 2021, the class action lawsuit states.

The EMR Advanced Recycling class action lawsuit seeks to cover all owner-occupants and renters of residential property residing at any time within the applicable statute of limitations in the following geographic area:

Starting at Spruce Street and S 9th Street, proceed south on S 9th Street. At Sycamore Street continue east to S 10th Street. Follow S 10th Street south to Mechanic Street. Go east on Mechanic Street and then continue south on S 10th Street. At Bulson Street go west and continue to the railroad track, following them northeast to Jefferson Street. Proceed east on Jefferson Street to the Delaware River. Follow the riverfront north to Spruce Street. Follow Spruce Street west to the point of origin.

As of June 9, 2026, Camden has suspended EMR’s license for its scrap metal shredding facility in the wake of a two-alarm fire in late May, with the city’s order citing “public nuisance conditions” at the site.

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