NEW: Providence City Council Members to Oppose Proposed Allens Providence Recycling Application

NEW: Providence City Council Members to Oppose Proposed Allens Providence Recycling Application

Providence City Council members are set to call on the City Plan Commission to deny the application of Allens Providence Recycling LLC during Thursday night’s City Council Meeting.

“As the Councilor for Ward 10, it is not my intention to stand in the way of bringing new businesses to my Ward. That said, when the business in question could potentially have serious consequences for the environment and the well-being of my constituents, I will speak out,” said Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10).

Espinal is joined by Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15), Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), Councilwoman Rachel Miller (Ward 13), Councilwoman Carmen Castillo (Ward 9), and Councilman David Salvatore (Ward 14) in opposing the application.

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“I stand with Councilman Espinal in his support for the well-being of the residents of Lower South Providence and Washington Park. I, like my colleagues, are always looking for ways to bring new businesses to our city, but we must do so with an eye on the ramifications of what proposed businesses can have on the environment and the surrounding communities,” said Council President Sabina Matos.

The Proposal

The proposed facility could potentially accept, process, and haul 2,500 tons of construction and commercial waste per day.

In a joint statement, the City Councilors expressed concerns with the project’s failure to meet the City’s Comprehensive Plan’s provisions regarding environmental sustainability and their "ability to avoid disproportionate environmental burdens on residents."

“We must work to protect the safety of our residents at all costs. It pains me to know that so many young children are suffering from asthma in this one section of our City. It is a wake-up call that we, as elected officials, need to do more to protect our residents. I ask that the CPC deny this application,” said Castillo.

The City Council members said they are also concerned with the potential health impacts posed by the facility, as well as the impact on future development.