Sims’ Queens shred feed barge activity halted

Market: Battery materials, Metals
05/09/24

Global metal recycler Sims' shred feed barge activity has been halted by the US Coast Guard at its Long Island City, New York, recycling facility following a fire last week.

The Australian-headquartered recycler suffered a fire on one of its barges moored at its facility in Queens on 27 August, which was caused by a lithium-ion battery, according to the New York City Fire Department (FDNY).

Following the incident, the US Coast Guard ordered a cease order on all activity of Sims' barges that contain shred feed.

Sims told Argus that it is working closely with both departments to ensure it has the highest inspection and receiving standards and will look to resume normal business activity as soon as possible.

Purchasing and barge transit of all other grades of metal will continue in the meantime, the company added.

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries pose a significant fire risk and are becoming more common in the recycling stream due to higher usage in consumer goods.

Sims said it removes every battery it can find in its scrap, but is working with the Recycled Metals Association (ReMA) — formerly the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) — to seek regulatory support and public cooperation in the proper disposal of the batteries for industry-wide issue.

FDNY commissioner Robert Tucker warned about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries in a public information briefing after the event in Long Island City and a separate fire in Brooklyn within a 48-hour window.

There have been 171 fires, 59 injuries and three deaths caused by lithium-ion batteries in New York City in 2024, down from 2023, the FDNY said. In 2023, 60pc of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries were caused by batteries that were not charging.

A report from National Waste and Recycling Association and Resource Recycling Systems in January estimated more than 5,000 fires occur annually at recycling facilities and warned that these fires are increasingly being linked to lithium-ion batteries.

Every day, material recycling facilities receive dozens of lithium-ion batteries due to public misconception on proper disposal, the report said, and as usage of the battery grows so will the risk of fire, it warned.

By Corey Aunger

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