CAMDEN, NJ — A Superior Court judge ruled that EMR Advanced Recycling may reopen following years of concerns over fires at the facility.
The City of Camden had placed a temporary suspension on the businesses' operations in May after at least 12 fires there over the last five years due to what officials say was improper operations and handling of materials.
On Tuesday, Camden City Council unanimously voted against a new proposal for the junkyard to reopen amidst mounting monetary losses and potential layoffs looming.
On Wednesday, the judge ruled that the suspension be lifted.
"EMR is committed to the city and the people of Camden who are our employees, friends, and neighbors," the business said in a statement following the ruling. "We are just as committed to improving the safety of the recycled material stream that has been upended by a flood of lithium-ion batteries that create demonstrated fire risks. EMR will continue to address risks to limit the entry of prohibited scrap...continue to adapt and improve inbound material management, reducing fire risks that affect our facilities."
In order to resume operations, the company must meet a host of required conditions, including demonstrating that its fire suppression system is working without constraint.
"This is ultimately a victory for Camden residents and a positive outcome particularly for the Waterfront South community," the City said in a joint statement from Mayor Victor Carstarphen, City Council President Angel Fuentes, and City Council Vice President Arthur Barclay. "Thankfully, EMR will now be required by the courts to run a safe site and that has always been our top priority."
The ruling landed on the same day that Governor Mikie Sherrill signed a new bill into law that improves the safety surrounding operations of scrap metal businesses.
Bill A2401 requires certain businesses to install heat detection equipment that can identify potential hot spots before fires break out, develop fire safety plans alongside local fire officials that are available to the public, and show compliance with a number of enhanced fire prevention safety standards such as suppression systems and stockpile heights.
"This bill is for the residents of Waterfront South, who have feared for their health and safety for far too long," Assemblyman William F. Moen Jr. (D-Camden, Gloucester) said.
In May, the Camden facility rolled out a new fire suppression system meant to combat risk at the plant.
This followed a bill that cleared the State General Assembly in March that would establish safety measures for scrap metal operations and involve enhanced oversight after ongoing issues at the EMR facility.
Just days later, the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General and DEP amended a lawsuit from January against EMR.
The State said they acted "to hold EMR accountable for several additional fires that have occurred in recent weeks," and at least 12 over the last five years, including a Camden fire in February 2025 that forced 100 residents out of their homes while the flames were brought under control.
EMR and the City are set to revisit their own battle on Aug. 17 in court.
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