A proposed trash sorting and processing facility in Jersey City is drawing fierce opposition from residents, but despite the pushback, the project could still move forward.

The site under consideration is on Van Keuren Avenue, an industrial stretch just minutes from several residential neighborhoods. The proximity is raising concerns about pollution, traffic, and quality of life.

“It’s already going to add to people’s commutes trying to get home. It’ll be a nightmare throughout the day,” said Jersey City Ward C Councilman Tom Zuppa. “More importantly, the environmental impact - adding that kind of pollution to our city roads, our children, and our residents, it’s unhealthy and unnecessary.”

The permit application is currently under review by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Van Keuren LLC, the company seeking the permit, acknowledged in its report to the DEP that truck traffic and emissions would increase. However, the company argues that those impacts would be limited by directing vehicles away from nearby residential streets.

Residents and advocates say they don’t believe those assurances.

“It’s absolutely an air quality and quality of life issue,” said Debra Italiano, founder of Sustainable Jersey City. “When you talk about the smells associated with animal waste reprocessing, even if it’s required to be a contained environment, it’s not contained for smells.”

Ultimately, the decision hinges on whether the DEP determines there is a need for a trash processing facility in the area.

“They’re accepting trash from all over,” said Italiano. “There is no need to establish this facility to process very hyperlocal trash for this community. That’s nonsense.”

If the DEP grants the permit, local elected officials would have little power to stop the project.

“The fact that our city council, even our county or state representatives, have no say over what happens...it’s troubling,” Zuppa said.

The DEP has not yet issued a final decision on the permit.