Smiths Falls residents divided on plastic-melting recycling plant
Residents in Smiths Falls are considering whether to approve a proposal to build a recycling facility that melts plastic.
The plant would be built inside part of the old Hershey Chocolate factory, which shut down in 2008.
Summit Energy Inc. wants to melt plastic and turn the hydrocarbon gases it produces into heating oil and diesel fuel.
Steve Sech, who lives near the industrial area, said he's not worried about the possible smell.
"The sewage treatment plant sends an odour; we get through it," Sech said. "It's a great thing. It's employment, [and] they'll pay taxes to the city."
But nearby resident Karla Krueger said she's concerned.
"I don't think they're really considering the extent of what this might be," she said. "I have fruit trees in my backyard, right? What kind of chemicals are going to be coming out of that place?"
Jake Jenkins, the president of Summit Energy, said while the technology is new, environmental measures will make it safe.
"Keep an open mind"
"I tell them to keep an open mind and let us help educate them," he said.
If approved, the plant would initially employ 18 to 20 people, but Jenkins said he expects that number to grow as more manufacturers and municipalities look for ways to deal with plastic waste.
"They have a challenge. They don't know how to get rid of it. So some people were saying that we need to be known for something, and I said, 'Well, let us be known for recycling,'" Jenkins said.
Smiths Falls city council is expected to vote on the company's re-zoning application by mid-December.
