Radius Recycling to Install New Treatment System Under EPA Agreement
According to a recent announcement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a legally binding agreement has been reached with Radius Recycling Inc. over violations of the Clean Water Act at the company’s metal recycling facility in West Oakland. The Administrative Order on Consent requires the company to take corrective actions aimed at reducing the discharge of harmful pollutants into the Oakland Inner Harbor and San Francisco Bay.
As reported by the EPA, inspections revealed that wastewater from the facility exceeded federal limits on zinc, copper, and acute toxicity as outlined in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. In response, Radius Recycling will be installing a granular activated carbon (GAC) treatment system designed to reduce metal pollutants below regulated levels. The company has also committed to developing a Water Pollution Prevention Plan that enhances site inspections and strengthens cleaning and maintenance protocols.
“This order requires Radius Recycling to improve the quality of water discharges leaving the facility, which will help reduce the flow of pollutants into San Francisco Bay,” said Amy Miller, Director of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance for EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. “In addition, this agreement will improve the general cleanliness of the site and address local community health and safety concerns.”
The San Francisco Bay, home to over 7.5 million residents in the Bay Area, is already affected by elevated levels of heavy metals. These contaminants not only endanger marine wildlife but also accumulate in fish consumed by the public, posing potential human health risks.
According to information from the EPA website, this enforcement action builds upon a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in January 2025 between the EPA, Radius Recycling, the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), state environmental regulators, and a local community group. The MOU outlines a collaborative approach to addressing the environmental and health impacts of the company’s metal shredding operations in the West Oakland neighborhood—a community historically burdened by industrial pollution.
Source: EPA