Full Breakdown
Greenpoint Residents Breathe Easier as Asphalt Plant Shuts Down
12/15/2025, 2:20:15 AM
Closure of Green Asphalt Facility
The Green Asphalt recycling center in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, has temporarily ceased operations following its failure to meet a state-mandated deadline to raise its smokestacks to 90 feet. The closure, which took effect on Thursday, has provided immediate relief to local residents who have long complained about the noxious fumes emitted by the facility. Tom Mituzas, a member of the Blissville Civic Organization, noted the noticeable improvement in air quality, stating, “What we didn’t experience today is any kind of tearing of the eyes, cough in the back of the throat.”
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) had stipulated that the smokestack height increase was necessary to mitigate the unpleasant odors affecting the community. Following the shutdown, air quality in the area improved significantly, dropping from a concerning score of 120 to a satisfactory score of 13 within hours, according to data from a pollution monitor managed by the Blissville Civic Association.
Regulatory Compliance and Financial Penalties
Despite voluntarily suspending operations, Green Asphalt may face a $99,500 penalty for not meeting the smokestack deadline, in addition to an outstanding $125,000 owed for failing to provide air quality monitoring data over recent years. The company was required to obtain permission from the New York City Department of Buildings to raise its smokestack, but no such documents were filed, raising further concerns among residents about the facility's commitment to compliance.
Community Skepticism and Health Concerns
While residents are celebrating the temporary reprieve from pollution, skepticism remains about Green Asphalt's future operations. Kim Dossin, a long-time resident, expressed doubts about the company's integrity, stating, “I feel like they’re playing games... They’ve just built up a lot of distrust.” Dossin, who suffers from asthma exacerbated by the plant's emissions, highlighted the ongoing health risks posed by the facility, noting that many residents feel compelled to stay indoors due to air quality concerns.
Future Prospects for Green Asphalt
Green Asphalt will only be permitted to reopen once it raises its smokestacks and completes the required emissions testing, allowing the DEC to better monitor the facility's output. City Council member Lincoln Restler indicated that the reopening could take at least a month, leaving residents cautiously optimistic about the long-term resolution of their air quality issues.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You notice the air — you notice the difference,” — Tom Mituzas, Blissville Civic Organization
- “I would like to believe what they say, but it’s the story ‘The boy who cried wolf,'” — Tom Mituzas, Blissville Civic Organization
- “There’s no reason why they couldn’t have built those towers.” — Kim Dossin, Resident
- “It’s still coming through the cracks of my window.” — Kim Dossin, Resident
The situation remains fluid as residents await further developments regarding the facility's compliance and potential reopening.
