HOUSTON – The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has launched an investigation into this week’s fire at Mammoth Metals Recycling in southeast Houston.
This comes after the TCEQ confirmed to KPRC 2 that the company did not have the proper permits to recycle tires on site.
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The Houston Fire Dept. says a large pile of trash and debris, primarily tires, is what burned on the Mammoth Metals property near Manchester and Kellogg Street.
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TCEQ says any facility that recycles tires is required to register with them. However, looking at their current scrap tire facility operators in Texas, Mammoth Metals is not on that list.
The TCEQ confirms the company does not have a current scrap tire registration. Which means technically, they’re not permitted to recycle that material. The only active TCEQ permits right now for Mammoth Metals are stormwater and air source permits.
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TCEQ says once its investigation is complete, the report will be available on the commission’s website.
In addition to state registration, the City of Houston requires facilities to obtain a local scrap tire facility permit. KPRC 2 verified with the city’s tire inspection team that Mammoth Metals has not been issued a permit for tire disposal, transport or storage under the city of Houston’s scrap tire ordinance.
We’re working to find out what that means for this facility moving forward.