General Iron is ‘closing, not relocating.’ New Southeast Side plant will be very different

My company, Reserve Management Group, is in the midst of a permitting process for our new metal recycling business on the Southeast Side. Brett Chase of the Sun-Times recently reported that critics believe we view approval as a foregone conclusion. However, as the article noted, we take nothing for granted.

Rather, my confidence is rooted in 30 years of experience and the knowledge that our design and operations will employ the most technologically advanced filtration, water treatment and air pollution control equipment of any such facility in the Midwest.

We expect and accept a robust vetting process and to be held accountable for abiding by all permit conditions set forth in Chicago’s stringent new large recycling facility regulations. Having followed all proper processes to execute this project, we trust — as any other business would — that meeting the requisite standards will result in permit approval.

Despite being told by community stakeholders and environmental groups that they will oppose our expansion no matter what, we hold the door open to neighborhood residents and organizations who wish to engage in a dialogue based on facts and science.

RMG has quietly run environmentally responsible recycling operations on Chicago’s Southeast Side for decades. Our 178-acre site is the best location in Chicago to operate a new metal shredding business that has created hundreds of construction jobs and will keep more than 100 well-paying jobs in the city.

General Iron is closing, not relocating. Almost nothing about our new construction from the ground up resembles the North Side site. Our new shredder will be enclosed and substantially removed from public view. Our expansion is guided by the longtime zoning of our land, the separation from our neighbors and the existence of necessary infrastructure. The racial, ethnic and income demographics of surrounding neighborhoods played no role in our considerations.

Chicago is committed to being a green, sustainable city. RMG and companies like us play a critical role by providing responsible metals recycling. Without recycling, valuable products end up in landfills. Isn’t it best that those materials be processed at a modern, expansive and remote facility operating with the best pollution control equipment available?

Steve Joseph
CEO, Reserve Management Group