Residents Oppose US Ecology Detroit South License
Community Challenges US Ecology Detroit South License
An environmental coalition is calling for the shutdown of US Ecology Detroit South, a hazardous waste treatment facility on Detroit's lower east side with a pending license renewal application. The facility is located at 1923 Frederick Street, near the I-75 and I-94 interchange. The coalition's announcement focused on the facility's license renewal and ongoing operations in Detroit.
Residents, neighbors of the hazardous waste facility, elected officials, and environmental activists gathered at a press conference on Monday. The event was organized by the Detroit Hamtramck Coalition for Advancing Healthy Environments and held at the Hamtramck Public Library. Participants held signs referencing odors, dust, fumes, fires, asthma, and waste in the area around US Ecology Detroit South.
Calls to Deny License Renewal
Speakers at the press conference urged the state to address odor and safety concerns at the Detroit hazardous waste facility. They called on Michigan's environmental regulator to deny the license renewal for US Ecology Detroit South. State Representative Tonya Myers Phillips stated that no permits should be issued for the facility until it shows that it has followed the law.
Resident KT Morelli said that US Ecology Detroit South should shut down at least until the odor problem is resolved. Morelli also said the state should put a hold on the licensing process if the permit cannot be denied. The Wayne County Commission unanimously approved a resolution on October 2 in opposition to a license renewal for US Ecology, following a proposal by Commissioner Martha Scott.
Odor Complaints and Air Quality Violations
Resident Kinga Osz-Kemp said that after the closure of a nearby trash incinerator in 2019, isolated smells from US Ecology became noticeable. Osz-Kemp described the odors as similar to rotten fish, lime, and chemical smells. The facility has received dozens of state violations for air quality noncompliance at the Frederick Street site since 2014.
The most recent violation from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, dated October 10, followed an investigation of an odor complaint. The state documented persistent fishy, oily, and gas odors attributed to US Ecology's Chem-Fix operations and affecting residential areas downwind of the Detroit facility. In its response, US Ecology said no odor was identified in its Chem-Fix operations and stated that another facility downwind was the source.
Regulatory Actions and Consent Agreement
In July 2024, the state and US Ecology reached a consent agreement addressing multiple violations between 2021 and 2023, including improper hazardous waste storage, a fire, and a leak posing a groundwater contamination threat. US Ecology Detroit South's license renewal application was filed September 11, 2008, and has undergone multiple revisions. It was declared administratively complete in 2012, allowing operations to continue until a final decision is made.
State Review and Company Response
EGLE is evaluating comments from the public comment period and awaiting resolution of air quality violations before making a final decision. The agency stated it is working with US Ecology South to identify effective solutions. Republic Services spokesperson Melissa Quillard said upgrades at the facility include a new tank system, improved storage processes, enhanced waste handling, and an on-site testing lab.
Quillard said the facility updated its odor management plan, added a fourth air monitoring station, and is evaluating further air pollution controls. US Ecology also hosts quarterly public meetings and provides email updates through its website.