{"id":283498,"date":"2026-09-11T04:44:09","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T04:44:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/283498\/"},"modified":"2026-09-11T04:44:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T04:44:09","slug":"emr-highlights-new-safety-measures-following-fires-at-camden-recycling-facility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/283498\/","title":{"rendered":"EMR highlights new safety measures following fires at Camden recycling facility"},"content":{"rendered":"

CAMDEN, N.J. (WPVI) — EMR officials say no fires have occurred at the company’s Camden recycling facility since it reopened in late July following a series of fires<\/a> that drew increased scrutiny and led to the temporary suspension of its operating license.<\/p>\n

During a tour of the facility on Thursday, company leaders outlined changes made after a two-alarm fire in May and pointed to new technology and procedures aimed at preventing future incidents.<\/p>\n

Piles of scrap at the facility are sorted and processed, but officials said operations have changed since the site shut down and later reopened this summer.<\/p>\n

“I hope what we can show is that we’ve demonstrated that we’ve invested a lot of effort into putting in the technology that’s available,” said Joe Balzano, chief executive officer of EMR USA.<\/p>\n

According to company officials, more than a dozen fires at the facility since 2020 have been linked to highly flammable lithium batteries that are not intended to be recycled there. During the tour, officials displayed bins containing items recently identified by inspectors, including car batteries and e-bikes.<\/p>\n

Rep. Donald Norcross, D-N.J., said his proposed Battery Fire Prevention Act would provide tax credits to companies that purchase battery detectors and establish a national battery recycling program.<\/p>\n

“Recyclers are often under-equipped where – as you can see behind you – where might there be a lithium battery,” Norcross said.<\/p>\n

Several fires at the facility have prompted evacuations in nearby neighborhoods because of air quality concerns. The city suspended EMR’s license in June, but a judge later ruled the company could reopen<\/a> with additional precautions in place.<\/p>\n

EMR said the facility now operates five fire suppression towers equipped with thermal cameras designed to detect increases in temperature. Scrap piles have also been reduced to a maximum height of 20 feet in accordance with a state law signed earlier this year. In addition, the company has added six inspectors per shift to identify hazardous materials.<\/p>\n

“Hopefully, as we continue to communicate and grow some relations with the waterfront south community and greater Camden, we’ll be able to endear them to our company,” Balzano said.<\/p>\n

Camden Mayor Victor G. Carstarphen also attended the tour and commented on efforts to prevent future fires.<\/p>\n

“Everyone wants to ensure that fires of this magnitude never occur,” Carstarphen said. “I commend Congressman Norcross for looking at potential solutions to this issue and for working with local officials to help safeguard against the threat of a future event. Improving federal regulations and requiring standardized labeling of materials would be a positive step forward.”<\/p>\n

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