Tuscaloosa Recycling Plant To Move Automobile Shredder Following Lawsuit, Protests

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A Tuscaloosa recycling plant will soon move a major portion of its operations from the city's West End following months of protests from residents.

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The development was announced Tuesday by Tuscaloosa City Councilwoman Raevan Howard, who has headed up the push against Liberty Recycling Center on 24th Street. The District 2 councilwoman referred to the company's vehicle shredder operations as a "nuisance," citing loud noise, explosions and other issues that drew the ire of those living close by.

As Patch reported in July, a group of Tuscaloosa residents sued Liberty Recycling for breach of contract, alleging the company had repeatedly reneged on a previous agreement to terminate and move its operations. The defendants in the lawsuit were listed as Liberty Recycling Inc. and Raw Properties, LLC — a company that owns part of the property where Liberty Recycling Center is located.

"Today, I am proud to announce that Liberty Recycling Company will be moving the portion of the operation which crushes automobiles and has contributed to loud explosions heard throughout the area causing damage to nearby homes, will no longer be licensed to operate at the current location," she said in a press release. "Liberty has been working on the new site for some time under the land development permit, and officially received a building permit a month ago."

The first fire that prompted questions concerning the facility's questionable operations occurred the night of May 16, but it would be the second blaze near the end of June that would result in renewed discussions about the future of the recycling center.

Following the second major fire, which saw a large plume of thick black smoke visible for miles, the controversy drew the attention of the City of Tuscaloosa. Earlier that month, Mayor Walt Maddox jumpstarted discussions on moving Liberty Recycling Center from its 24th Street location to somewhere with less of a residential impact.

Howard went on to say that Liberty Recycling has informed her the company hopes to have that its new vehicle shredder operational by the end of the year. However, it will not be operating at full capacity at its new location until early in the summer of 2022.

"This marks the end of what our community has fought for since my tenure on the council, and I want to thank all residents that took part in this very important venture," she said. "Let’s continue to work together to improve District 2."

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