Stop the Auto Shredder in Omaha

Did you know an auto shredder is being built just below Q St, between S 60th and Papio Creek, leaving South Omaha in real danger of major pollution?

Our community is at risk. The proposed auto shredder will release harmful dust and pollutants into the air, threatening our health and safety. 

We need your help to stop this dangerous project.

The City Council can Stop the Auto Shredder at their meeting on June 2nd.

Here’s how you can make a difference: 

  1. Call the Omaha City Council and urge them to stop the auto shredder project in South Omaha.
  2. Email the Planning Board and City Council using the form below.
  3. Come to the next Omaha City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 3 at 2pm in the Legislative Chambers at City Hall.

TELL THE OMAHA CITY COUNCIL TO STOP THE AUTO SHREDDER PROJECT.

Take Action

Our community is at risk as the auto shredder project progresses. Omaha politicians must reject attempts to impose this dangerous project without meaningful community involvement or considering the objections raised by local residents, business owners, environmental experts, and health advocates.

Attend a Meeting

Attend the next Omaha City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 3rd and demand the committee to listen to community concerns about the auto shredder project: Tuesday, June 3 at 2:00 PM in the legislative chambers at City Hall.

Act Now

Send a message to the City Council urging them to stop the auto shredder project between 50th and 72nd; Between Q and L St.

Planning Board Recipients:
Chair Greg Rosenbaum
Vice Chair David Rosacker
Jeffrey Moore
Michael Pate
Patrick Morris
Cydney Franklin
Jorge Sotolongo

City Council Recipients: 
District 1: Pete Festersen
District 2: Juanita Johnson
District 3: Danny Begley
District 4: Ron Hug
District 5: Don Rowe
District 6: Brinker Harding
District 7: Aimee Melton

UPDATE

The Auto Shredder Project

U-Pull-It has submitted “plans” to the P&Z Board, but there are huge gaps: no provisions for traffic management with an estimated 50 extra trucks per day, no plan for controlling wind-blown toxic fluff (waste from shredded cars that can spread harmful pollutants into our air and water), and no real strategy for stopping heavy metal-filled runoff from entering our water.

This is especially concerning given ongoing lead remediation efforts in Omaha. There's also no plan for noise control, fire safety, or oil capture, even though the site is in a floodplain with visible oil slicks.

U-Pull-It has a history of ignoring permits and environmental laws, releasing toxic substances, and now they're bringing a dangerous shredder to our community.

This shredder will dump harmful dust and pollutants into our air, threatening our health and safety. There's no plan for traffic, noise control, or protecting against the heavy metal debris that could seep into our waterways.

We need as many people as we can get to come to the next City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 3rd, at 1 PM in the Legislative Chambers at City Hall, 1819 Farnam St in Omaha.

Let's stand together to protect our neighborhoods and ensure a cleaner, safer future.

In 2024, we incorrectly identified United Auto Recyclers as United Recycling and incorrectly claimed that it has built a shredder. In truth, United Auto Recyclers is not the company involved and, to our knowledge, has nothing to do with the shredder. Actually, the shredder is being built, without city permits, by Hansen Property Development, Inc. a Nevada corporation, whose officers and directors are the same as those of U-Pull-It and all list the same address in Arizona.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The health and safety of Omaha families are at risk if we don’t stop this auto shredder project.

The auto shredder project is a direct threat to our safety and well-being. This project endangers our environment, health, and local economy.

We live, work, and play in the neighborhoods, parks, businesses, restaurants, and entertainment venues of downtown Omaha. If we don't stop the auto shredder project, we are endangering the health of our city and its citizens.

Tell Omaha decision makers to stop the auto shredder project now.

ZERO COMMUNITY APPROVAL OR INPUT.

Out-of-state developers built a $10 million shredder without any city intervention or required permits.

NO APPROVALS HAVE BEEN ISSUED

While the project developers have applied for a special use permit, they still lack necessary approvals from the EPA, NRD, and other regulatory bodies.

IT COULD BE AN ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER.

The shredder is located in the floodway of Papio Creek, threatening to contaminate the groundwater that leads into the Missouri River. No plans have been filed to manage toxic runoff, risking severe pollution.

IT CAN CAUSE SEVERE TRAFFIC CONGESTION.

Over 100 semis a day could flood our streets, creating chaos and dangerous road conditions for residents.

IT IS A HEALTH HAZARD.

The shredder is located in the floodway of Papio Creek, threatening to contaminate the groundwater that leads into the Missouri River. No plans have been filed to manage toxic runoff, risking severe pollution.

THERE IS A RISK OF EXPLOSIONS.

Cars with propane tanks could lead to deadly explosions, putting our community at risk.

The Papio Creek is in danger. Right now, the auto shredder is dumping potentially contaminated waste runoff into Papio Creek, making it hazardous.

The auto shredder in South Omaha and a pile of scrap metal, which can contain hazardous materials. Reports show that shredder waste often exceeds the concentration limits for lead, cadmium, and zinc.
The drainage ditch next to the auto shredder collects shredder waste.
The ditch drains directly into the Papio Creek, potentially carrying toxic metals and refrigerant fluids that could contaminate the water system.

Paid for by Nebraska Future Fund Inc.