Noisy metal scrapping company wants to run 24/7 — neighbour says that idea is 'insane'

The sound of a dozen preschoolers clanging every pot and pan in Wade Doucette's kitchen — but amplified by 10. 

That's how Doucette, 66, describes the level of noise emanating from Triple M Metal's recycling centre near his north-end Hamilton home. 

"You wake up in the morning, you hear crashing iron," Doucette said. "Every time you open your door, you hear exploding metal. It's so bad that you cannot have any peace or quiet outside." 

The noise may get worse.

Triple M's location on Parkdale Avenue North is currently allowed to operate between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. on weekdays, but has applied to the province to expand to 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Doucette called that proposal an "insane" idea.

"Would you like to have your head inside a large pot and banged on with a baseball bat for 24 hours?" he said. 

Triple M, based in Brampton, didn't respond to requests for comment. 

In its application, posted on the Environmental Registry of Ontario, it said the amendment is to "reflect updates that have been made to our facility." 

The public can submit comments on the registry website until Sunday, March 17.

Metal recycling 'necessary' but better practices needed, councillor says

Ward 4 Coun. Tammy Hwang said her office is regularly receiving complaints from residents about Triple M's operations. 

"I want to be clear. Metal recycling is absolutely needed, but it's also right next to residents," Hwang said in an interview. "There are better business practices here and being mindful of their location." 

Hwang said she has reviewed acoustic and air quality reports from the province related to Triple M's Hamilton operations. In a letter submitted to the registry, Hwang said these reports indicate sound levels already surpass what's allowed.

"We do not support the application to expand the hours of operation of the shredder … because it will have a significant negative impact on the local human population and biodiversity," Hwang's letter said.

Triple M is proposing constructing a noise barrier, but it would be made of shipping containers rather than "noise absorbing material," Hwang's wrote. 

In the past, another company in the area had erected a shipping container noise barrier, but it was "inadequate" at mitigating the noise and was later replaced, said Hwang.

Emissions will also increase

Triple M's application also said that with longer operating hours, more emissions will be generated from metal shredding, cutting and welding, fuel storage tanks, storage piles and facility heating as well as delivering and recovering "slag metal" — a by-product of metal recycling.

Hwang is calling for better air monitoring at the facility given the "concerning" contaminants emitted there including benzene, iron oxide, manganese and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). PCBs are known to cause "significant harm" to plants and animals. Manganese is toxic to humans and benzene is a known carcinogen. 

She said in her letter that a report shows these contaminants are already nearing the Ministry of Environment's limits. 

The residential areas are also exposed to high levels of benzene and manganese from other industries.

The ministry "must consider the cumulative impact of these contaminants into the airshed," Hwang wrote. 

Triple M also borders Windermere East Park, a migratory ground for 26 bird species. It's a human-made wetland that cost about $20 million to build and was funded by all three levels of government. 

Noise and noise pollution not only puts residents' health and mental health at risk, it can harm local wildlife, too, said Ian Borsuk with Environment Hamilton. He is concerned about the basin being exposed to higher levels of harmful emissions. 

"If the Windermere basin becomes poisonous, if there's significant noise concerns, the birds will go elsewhere," Borsuk said. "The investment we've put in there will be undermined."