Recycling plant riles Inwood residents

George Bopp bought his Davis Avenue home in 2007, eight years after he began looking for a house, because he was attracted to what was known as a quiet neighborhood in Inwood.

However, Bopp, whose home is located across the marina from the privately owned New York Recycling and Materials plant on Roger Avenue, said dust from the plant constantly circulates in the air, dirtying his car, boat and house, while the recycling equipment and the trucks generate a substantial amount of noise.

He said he’s also worried about the effects of breathing the dust. “It feels like I live in a construction zone constantly,” he said. “With summer coming, I don’t even want to open my windows.”

And he wasn’t the only resident complaining about the recycling plant. More than 40 Inwood residents expressed similar concerns at a May 11 meeting at the Five Towns Community Center in Inwood.

New York Recycling and Materials owners Chris and John Pizzirusso were invited to the meeting, said Inwood Civic Association Vice President Peter Sobol, who also noted that Town of Hempstead officials said they were not given enough notice to send someone to the meeting.

Neither Pizzirusso attended the meeting and could not be reached for comment

After receiving a DEC permit to operate, the plant opened in February. To keep the dust from circulating into the air, the company is expected run sprinklers frequently, according to the conditions of its permit, said New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Environmental Engineer Ernie Lampro. Residents say that isn’t happening. The dust is generated when concrete; brick and asphalt are crushed for recycling.

“If you see them operating without sprinklers, please call our office,” Lampro told residents.

The plant is permitted to operate from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. The plant could be cited for a number of violations, including operating after hours, lack of dust control and not regularly turning on the sprinkler systems, Lampro said. The initial fine for these violations is $7,500 and $1,500 each day a violation isn’t corrected.

Ruth Yannacone, a 46-year Walnut Avenue resident, said when she left for the community meeting at 7 p.m., the plant was still operating. Last year, Yannacone said she was in the hospital for breathing problems and blames the recycling plant for not controlling the dust. “You worry about what you’re breathing,” she said. “The pollution will definitely hurt the kids that play in that area. It’s very frustrating and something has to be done.”

Another Davis Avenue resident, Drew Angerer, said he realized the plant was not only affecting his family, but the entire neighborhood and that the DEC has to do a better job policing the recycling plant. “Complaints to local leaders, county representatives and state agencies have fallen on deaf ears,” he said. “It’s way over due for someone in government to step in and resolve the matter.”

Attorney Kenneth Rosenblum, who is dean of admissions at Touro Law School, said the community could a hire environmental lawyer to protect their rights, and review the Town of Hempstead code to learn what the municipal responsibilities are.

Sobol said the community would now take the next steps. “We plan to regroup and reach out to the town officials and ask them to meet with us,” he said. “Some of the regulations fall under the DEC control and other regulations that are enforced by town that need to be given a look because quality of life of these residents has been really effected.”

Lampro said residents could call the DEC at (631) 444-0380 to report any violations they observe at the recycling plant.