Jersey City residents push back on third West Side waste facility

With a third waste facility proposed for a neighborhood already hosting two, community groups such as Sustainable Jersey City (SJC), as well as city council members and residents, have formed a coalition to voice their concerns Tuesday, April 28, during a public hearing at The Hall from 6 to 8 p.m. 

SJC, a group that educates community stakeholders to make Jersey City a more sustainable place to live and work, are calling on the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to deny a permit for a proposed Transfer Station and Material Recovery Facility called Van Keuren LLC by Compliance Plus Services Inc. near St. Paul’s and Tonnelle Ave. 

Transfer stations are where garbage trucks dump their loads before it is hauled to material recovery facilities that sort recyclable materials. The proposed facility would not only serve Jersey City, but the surrounding region and possibly even New York City. 

The coalition, supported by the Eastern Environmental Law Center, argues that the proposed facility would cause more harm to a neighborhood within a mile of multiple schools, churches, senior housing, parks and childcare facilities. 

“For a new facility to serve a compelling public interest, it must serve an essential environmental, health, or safety need of the individuals in the overburdened Community according to the NJ Environmental Justice legislation,” said Debra Italiano, founder and chair of Sustainable Jersey City. “The Van Keuren LLC EJIS environmental justice impact statement states the community benefits from the project are all invalid under [New Jersey environmental] law.” 

Under New Jersey’s Environmental Justice Law, the Van Keuren Avenue community qualifies as an overburdened community with 35% of residents who are low-income, 40% who identify as minority, or 40% of households with limited proficiency in the English language.

The law lists transfer stations and MRFs as environmental stressors and empowers the NJDEP to deny this permit if the burden on the community is too high. Van Keuren Ave. and the surrounding area already faces congestion from Routes 1 and 9 and the NJ Turnpike corridor. 

Jersey City’s West Side already has two transfer facilities owned by Interstate Waste Services. SJC argues adding a third facility to the area would bring more industrial truck traffic, diesel emissions and environmental health hazards. 

“Jersey City residents deserve clean air, safe streets, and a government that takes environmental justice seriously,” said Councilman Jake Ephros. “I urge all residents to attend the April 28th public hearing and make their voices heard.” 

The NJDEP and Compliance Plus Services Inc. were contacted for a response on the issue. No comment was given. 

The Hall, also known as Moose Hall, is located at 60 West Side Ave., Jersey City. Zoom attendance for those who can’t make it in person is also available. Residents are encouraged to participate.

Zoom instructions to attend Tuesday’s hearing are available by emailing publichearing@complianceplusservices.com or by clicking “Attend Meeting Virtually” at https://www.complianceplusservices.com/Van-Keuren. There is also a written comment period that will run through May 28. Written comments can be mailed to Van Keuren, LLC., c/o Compliance Plus Services, 240 Gibraltar Road, Suite 100, Horsham, PA 19044.