The recycling company at the center of controversy following a series of fires has started the process of reopening, according to a spokesperson for EMR. Starting on Monday, July 13, EMR’s Waterfront South facility will be reopening in a phased approach with the location being fulling operatio nal by Friday, July 17. EMR announced that they have created a new “operating framework” that is supposed to help manage the property called FireSMART. This phased plan comes less than a week after a judge allowed EMR to reopen the facility by overturning a decision made by Camden City Council to shut it down. At least 13 fires have been reported at the facility since 2020 leading to concerns from neighbors, community leaders and state officials. Scrap metal safety bill signed into law On Wednesday, July 8, Democratic New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed Bill A2401 into law that will require scrap metal recycling company to adhere to stricter safety guidelines. “This bill is for the residents of Waterfront South, who have feared for their health and safety for far too long,” Assemblyman William Moen (D-Camden, Gloucester) said in a statement. “It’s for communities up and down the state where facilities have normalized toxic smoke and air quality alerts. I thank Governor Sherrill for recognizing the critical significance of this legislation. With the stroke of a pen, we are protecting our neighborhoods and advancing public health.” The bill will have companies install equipment that can detect heat which could find hot spots before they turn into fires as well as create fire safety plans that will be available to the public and local fire departments. Also, any facilities that have metal piles that are more than 200 tons will be forced to install a fire suppression system within 48 months as those with 500 tons would have 24 months. This bill also includes a limit on how high piles of materials can get. Camden Jul 10 Camden officials tout new state regulations for EMR after series of fires Camden County Jul 8 NJ judge allows EMR to reopen after fires in Camden recycling facility Camden Jul 7 Camden City Council rejects resolution to reopen EMR scrapyard after latest fire nbc10 investigators Jun 8 Repeated fires force Camden to suspend operations at recycling facility Camden Jun 2 EMR pushes back against closure of Camden's recycling facility after fire New Jersey Mar 19 Lawsuit against NJ recycling company now includes massive barge fire Camden Mar 6, 2025 Health concerns, questions linger after massive junkyard fire in Camden This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser. ...read more read less