Air District, Recology agree to close operations at San Francisco debris-crushing site

Recology San Francisco has agreed to cease operations at its Pier 94 inert debris-crushing site in the Bayview Hunters Point community in San Francisco, reaching terms with the Bay Area Quality Management District last week.

According to a statement from the Air District, under the Termination and Closure Agreement, Recology is required to fully vacate the site by the end of the year and comply with additional dust control provisions. The agreement also resolves an outstanding Notice of Violation for missing a permit deadline.

“The Air District has taken decisive action to forge and agreement with Recology to suspend operations in Bayview Hunters Point that are in clear violation of our rules,” Air District Executive Officer Dr. Philip Fine says. “The move is a clear demonstration of the Air District’s commitment to protect health and well-being of Bayview Hunters Point residents.”

Recology’s Pier 94 facility operations in San Francisco crushed inert debris, such as construction and demolition materials, to prepare it for recycling and reuse.

However, a map on the company’s website does not list the Pier 94 site—its Recycle Central location at Pier 96 is Recology’s only recycling operation listed in San Francisco.

The Air District says the agreement reached by the two parties sets dust control measures that are more stringent than those required by its standard regulations. Measures to be enforced while material is transported off-site include watering debris piles, immediate tarp coverage of end-dump trailers when filled, traffic speed limit of 5 miles per hour on-site and more.

A metal rumble rack also will be used to shake dust off truck tires, a water truck will keep driving surfaces moist and a sweeper truck will be employed for several hours per day on weekdays along the main travel corridors.

The Air District says it issues Notices of Violation when facilities violate a specific air quality regulation or rule. Violators generally are required to respond to the notice within 10 days and submit a description of the actions they will take to fix the issue, which can include shutting down or changing certain operations or equipment.

The agreement stipulates what the Air District says are quickly escalating penalties if Recology does not vacate the site by Dec. 31.