Assembly Bill No. 5852 aims to enhance the regulation of scrap metal facilities in New Jersey by replacing the term "scrap processing facility" with "scrap metal facility" and requiring these facilities to register with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The bill removes the previous exemption that classified scrap processing facilities as recycling centers and establishes a clear definition of scrap metal facilities, which includes any commercial industrial facility that processes scrap metal for recycling or resale. Owners or operators of these facilities must register with the DEP within one year of the bill's effective date, pay a registration fee of $700, and renew their registration annually. The DEP will use this information to set regulatory and operational requirements, including specific permits for facilities that operate shredders.

Additionally, the bill outlines minimum operational standards for scrap metal facilities, particularly those with shredders, to mitigate risks such as fire hazards and environmental impacts. The DEP is tasked with creating a program to regulate these facilities as recycling centers within 18 months of the bill's effective date, contingent on available funding. Violations of the bill's provisions will be treated as violations of the Solid Waste Management Act, and penalties for non-compliance include criminal charges for false statements and civil fines. The committee amendments to the bill clarify the definition of scrap metal facilities, specify registration requirements, and adjust the language regarding the hiring of new staff by the DEP to ensure compliance with the bill's provisions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 13:1E-99.12, 13:1E-199, 13:1E-200, 13:1E-201, 13:1E-202, 13:1E-203, 13:1E-207, 13:1E-96.5