Allegations Only · No Settlement Yet
This article describes a class action complaint. The statements below are unproven allegations. EMR Advanced Recycling, LLC has not been found liable, there is no certified class, and there is nothing to claim at this time. This page is informational and is not legal advice.
What Is This About?
Three south Camden residents have filed a proposed class action accusing EMR Advanced Recycling, LLC of turning their neighborhood into the path of smoke, soot, dust and noxious odors from its scrap-metal shredding operations. The complaint, filed May 28, 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (Case No. 1:26-cv-06041), alleges that EMR's facilities along South Front Street and South 6th Street have repeatedly released harmful air particulates and offensive odors into nearby homes and have been the source of recurring fires since 2021.The named plaintiffs bring the case on behalf of a proposed class of residents who live near the facilities. They assert claims of private nuisance, public nuisance, negligence and trespass, and seek both money damages and a court order forcing operational changes. EMR has not responded to the allegations in court, and none of the claims have been proven.
What the Complaint Alleges
According to the complaint, EMR's scrap-metal shredding operations in south Camden discharge smoke, soot, fugitive dust and noxious odors that drift onto surrounding residential properties. The plaintiffs allege the company failed to adequately control its emissions and failed to screen out and remove batteries and other flammable materials before shredding — conditions they say have fueled repeated fires and explosions at the site.The complaint points to a history of fires dating back to January 2021. Among them, the plaintiffs cite a major fire on February 21, 2025 that sent up smoke reported to be visible from miles away and prompted local officials to issue a shelter-in-place advisory. The residents allege that the recurring smoke, dust and odor episodes have interfered with the use and enjoyment of their homes and diminished their property values. These remain allegations that EMR has not been found liable for.
Who Would Be in the Proposed Class?
The complaint proposes a class of residential owner-occupants and renters within a defined area of south Camden surrounding EMR's facilities. The plaintiffs' attorney has described the potential class as thousands of residents living within roughly a one-mile radius of the operations. The precise class definition would be set by the court if and when it certifies the case. No class has been certified yet, so there is nothing for residents to file at this stage.What the Lawsuit Seeks
The proposed class action seeks monetary damages for residents allegedly harmed by the emissions and fires, as well as injunctive relief — a court order requiring EMR to change how it operates so that the smoke, dust, odors and fire risk affecting nearby properties are reduced. Whether any damages are awarded and whether the requested operational changes are ordered would be decided by the court as the litigation proceeds.Background: Regulators Have Also Targeted the Site
The residents' class action is separate from government enforcement directed at the same site. The New Jersey Attorney General and the Department of Environmental Protection have brought their own public-nuisance lawsuit against EMR over the facilities' fires. And in June 2026, the City of Camden suspended the scrap-metal shredding license at the facility following another fire, citing "public nuisance conditions" at the site. Those government actions are distinct from this private class action, which seeks compensation and relief for the surrounding residents.What Happens Next?
As a newly filed complaint, the case is at an early stage. EMR will have an opportunity to respond, and the court will eventually decide whether to certify a class. There is no settlement, no approved class, and no claim form — so there is nothing for residents to submit right now. We will update this page if the case is certified, dismissed, or resolved.Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Camden EMR class action allege?
The complaint alleges EMR Advanced Recycling's scrap-metal shredding facilities in south Camden have repeatedly released smoke, soot, fugitive dust and noxious odors into nearby homes and have been the source of recurring fires since 2021. The plaintiffs bring claims of private nuisance, public nuisance, negligence and trespass. These are unproven allegations; EMR has not been found liable.
Is there a settlement or money to claim?
No. This is a recently filed complaint. No class has been certified, there is no settlement, and there is nothing to claim at this time. The case must clear class certification before it could proceed on behalf of the proposed class.
Who would be in the proposed class?
The complaint proposes a class of residential owner-occupants and renters within a defined area of south Camden near EMR's facilities — described by the plaintiffs' attorney as potentially thousands of residents within roughly a one-mile radius. The exact class definition would be decided by the court at certification.
What does the lawsuit ask for?
The complaint seeks monetary damages for the proposed class and injunctive relief — operational changes that would reduce smoke, dust, odors and fire risk affecting nearby properties.
Is this the same as New Jersey's lawsuit against EMR?
No. This is a private class action brought by residents. It is separate from the public-nuisance enforcement lawsuit the New Jersey Attorney General and Department of Environmental Protection filed against EMR over the same facilities.
Sources
- WHYY — Camden residents seek compensation through class action lawsuit
- The Jersey Vindicator — Camden residents sue EMR over pollution and fires
- N.J. Office of the Attorney General — Suit against EMR over hazardous fires
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