Emissions from Aluminum Recycling Facilities

Aluminum recycling is inherently good for the environment – it avoids wasting a valuable resource and it provides a 90%+ energy and carbon savings when compared to creating new aluminum. Recycling at Spectro involves shredding, sorting, cleaning and melting scrap aluminum with some of the most advanced technology found anywhere in the industry. Spectro’s air emissions are below strict air emission limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), which have been demonstrated to protect health and the environment.

If you have questions or concerns about emissions at Spectro Alloys at any time, you can reach our Environmental Health and Safety Engineering Team at (651) 480-6131.

Environmental Policy

As leaders in the aluminum recycling industry, the Spectro Alloys team believes it is our duty to set the example for socially responsible environmental stewardship. We are committed to meeting or exceeding environmental laws, regulations and corporate goals, and we will continue to invest in innovative technologies, programs and partnerships that enhance the positive impacts of recycling at Spectro Alloys.

• We pledge to reduce pollution by managing our materials, processes and people in a responsible manner, thereby protecting the environment

• We will expand the positive impacts of aluminum recycling, producing products with reduced emissions, reduced waste generation and reduced energy consumption

• We will strive to be global leaders in aluminum recycling by continuously improving our processes and procedures

Environmental Management Process

Our environmental management process is ISO 14001:2015 certified, verifying that our internal programs and controls for environmental management are world class. This program has been an important driver of our success to reduce emissions and leverage sustainability, and it is an example of our commitment to achieving strong environmental performance.

State Of The Art Emissions Control Technologies

Advanced Sorting

Spectro continually strives to reduce emissions from our facility, and we employ sophisticated technology to achieve superior environmental performance – including an X-ray scrap sorting plant that was the first of its kind in North America. This system uses advanced sensing and sorting technology to inspect every piece of shredded material it processes to remove contamination before scrap enters the furnace.

Efficient Furnaces

Spectro operates aluminum recycling furnaces with high efficiency burners to reduce natural gas consumption by over 50% when compared to standard burners. This reduces our carbon footprint and furnace air emission volume significantly.

Air Cleaning Baghouses

All scrap metal is charged into furnaces that are ducted to lime-injected baghouses to capture emissions created by the melting process. These baghouses are recognized as Best Available Control Technology for the aluminum recycling process, and use continuous monitoring to ensure they are operating effectively.

We use other baghouses to capture emissions from scrap handling and processing operations and transfer points to further reduce airborne dust on site.

Air Emissions Monitoring

To demonstrate compliance, we use a combination of continuous monitoring systems that monitor 24 hours a day, seven days a week and perform regular stack testing.

 Storm Water Run Off

Spectro Alloys has a comprehensive Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan and an MPCA issued storm water permit. Scrap metal is handled on impervious concrete or asphalt surfaces that flow to storm water settlement areas or filtration outfalls. After decades in operation, soil below the outfalls tests below even residential limits for hazardous metal concentrations.

Visible Steam Emissions

Our recycling process includes the generation of significant amounts of steam, which is usually visible from off site, especially when humidity is high.

Air Quality

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) maintains an air quality monitoring device 1 mile from Spectro Alloys as part of their air quality monitoring network. This monitor shows that air quality in the general vicinity of Spectro is well within clean air standards and is consistent with some of the best air quality measurements found anywhere in the state.

Continuous Improvement

We are proud to be leaders in an industry that so significantly reduces the impact of humans on the environment. Being industry leaders means breaking new ground and adopting the latest technology. This process is central to achieving our long term environmental stewardship goals, but it is not risk free. In the past we have been cited by the EPA for emissions violations. Please read our response.

If you have questions or concerns about emissions at Spectro Alloys at any time, you can reach our Environmental Health and Safety Engineering Team at (651) 480-6131.