The Star Press

The proposed Waelz Sustainable Products facility has generated much opinion and reaction in Muncie and Delaware County. Here's a look at our coverage, starting with the most recent coverage and including protests and meetings, to the initial announcement (This story will be updated with new stories as they are published):

► Waelz project: Why it went wrong (Published Aug. 21): After a brief celebration in the auditorium of Central High School on Tuesday night, two hundred or so opponents of a proposed steel-dust recycling facility heard experts weigh in on why the project was doomed to failure.

► Waelz deal off; a look at what happened(Published Aug. 20): Officials of the Waelz Sustainable Products zinc Oxide facility say they will find a home. But it won't be Muncie.

► Waelz opponents thrilled, relieved, but won't forget (Published Aug. 20): "It's always unfortunate that we have to spend so much time and energy and resources fighting against something instead of coming up with good projects."

► Waelz Sustainable Products project is called off; company officials blame 'campaign of misinformation' (Published Aug. 20): Officials from the city of Muncie and Waelz Sustainable Products have agreed to discontinue a proposed steel-dust recycling project that stirred up a storm of opposition.

► Press release: What Waelz officials, city leaders said (Published Aug. 20): Read the full press release from Waelz Sustainable Products and the City of Muncie, from Tuesday's announcement that the two sides had agreed to discontinue efforts to establish operations in Muncie.

► Dave Ring: Citizens must push back against steel dust plant and tax incentives for it (Published Aug. 19): "It appears that the overwhelming majority of residents in this county have made up their minds that we don’t want mercury and lead pollution in our air, water and soil, let alone our bodies."

► Two big Waelz meetings this week: What to expect (Published Aug. 19): Here are the speakers lined up for Tuesday's public forum on the effects of mercury and lead, and Wednesday's meeting of the Muncie City Council's Government Administration Committee.

►Michael Hicks: Disdain for voters at root of tax incentives for projects like Waelz, Foxconn (Published Aug. 18): "The thousand or so local residents came to the Muncie City Council meeting mostly to express their concern over a proposed recycling facility located 1.5 miles upwind from Muncie. However, the facility is not just locating there; it is being paid by taxpayers to locate there."

► Column: Ball State faculty members warn of potential hazards of zinc recycling plant (Published Aug. 15): "Our concerns are based upon potential hazards associated with management of inputs and the zinc processing technology itself, including possible emissions to the atmosphere.

► Column: Waelz plant could prompt brain drain for Muncie(Published Aug. 15): Local physician Ravi Sarin warns that Muncie already struggles to recruit physicians, and the addition of a plant that could produce lead and mercury pollution would worsen that trend.

► City council committee on Waelz Sustainable Products project sets a date (Published Aug. 15): A meeting of Muncie City Council's Government Administration Committee to discuss the proposed Waelz Sustainable Products facility has been set for 7 p.m. Aug. 21.

► Pastor spearheads forum on Waelz steel-dust recycling project(Published Aug. 15): The forum, titled "Waelz Process In Environment & Society — Public Education Forum," is set for Aug. 20.

► Expert says toxic contamination goes beyond 'Don't eat the fish or play in the soil' strategy (Published Aug. 14): "It's true that toxic pollutants only have toxic effects if someone is exposed to them," says physician Indra Frank, environmental health director at the Hoosier Environmental Council. "However, there are a number of problems with that approach."

► Steel-dust recycling facility: Who's for it, who's against it and who's still undecided (Published Aug. 14): The Star Press asked local public officials and others where they stand on the Waelz plan. We will update this list as others announce or parties change their positions.

► Todd Donati: Muncie, the community I love, and the controversy over the Waelz project (Published Aug. 14): In an opinion piece submitted to The Star Press, the the director of the Muncie Redevelopment Commission responds to public opposition to the project he worked to bring to Muncie.

► Where is the Waelz Sustainable committee hearing called for by city council? (Published Aug. 13): Officials from city council are working to schedule a public hearing on the project. Waelz plans to reschedule its planned meeting, and IDEM could seek public comment or have a meeting as well.

► Governor gets complaints about steel dust recycling (Published Aug. 13):We asked Governor Eric Holcomb's office just how many complaints he has received about the project. Holcomb's press secretary also discusses tax credits.

► Health department joins opponents of steel dust recycling (Published Aug. 13): Delaware County Health Department becomes the latest entity to oppose the project. The department goes even further in its statement and encourages exploring the need for expanded regulations.

► Local officials were told no emissions from steel dust project (Published Aug. 12): A look at how the project went from a belief of zero emissions by local officials to what the potential emissions actually are, according WSP's applications.

► Waelz director: New zinc recycling facility will be safe for human health, environment (Published Aug. 9):In an opinion piece submitted to The Star Press for publication, Nigel Morrison answers critics and shares plans of his company.

► Marshall, other officials pause on action against Waelz plant to gather more info (Published Aug. 9): Muncie City Council President Doug Marshall says he hasn't called Waelz despite pledging to do so a few days prior. Marshall also suggests Muncie could end up in a lawsuit over the issue.

► Yorktown Council opposes Waelz steel dust recycling plant (Published Aug. 9): Yorktown Town Council comes out as the first government group to oppose the project. Council sites, in part, the worry of how this project might impact property values in the area as cause for concern.

► Mearns, Bird: Our perspective on the proposed recycling facility (Published Aug. 8):An op-ed by Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns and IU Health East Region President Jeff Bird on the project, including their plans to use their respective experts to explore the plans.

► Can the Waelz steel dust recycling project be stopped? (Published Aug. 7): A deeper look at the mechanisms that can actually stop the project from coming to fruition.

► How Muncie officials are reacting to the heated council meeting with Zinc plant protesters (Published Aug. 6):Officials offer day-after reactions after hundreds showed up to City Council meeting in protest of the project.

► More than 4,000 sign petition against steel dust recycling plant (Published Aug. 6): A day after a contentious city council meeting, an online petition garners thousands of electronic signatures. As of Aug. 13, the petition was nearly at 10,000.

► Muncie City Council President Doug Marshall walks out of heated meeting (Published Aug. 6): Coverage of the meeting that catapulted this project into mainstream discussion in Muncie. Hundreds showed up to voice concerns about the project during a meeting that was initially cut short but reconvened.

► Citizens confront council with emotional and scientific arguments against plant (Published Aug. 6): Holding her 5-month old child, a mother makes her case to Muncie City Council on the project.

► Opponents to rally against hazardous waste recycling facility (Published Aug. 2): A preview to the eventual Muncie City Council meeting that drew hundreds of residents out in protest of the project.

► Recycling facility's mercury emissions scrutinized (Published July 19): The Star Press takes a deeper dive into what the project might mean in our community.

► Zinc plant officials pledge to keep a running dialogue amid concerns: (Published July 2): Waelz official makes presentation at Muncie City Council, a meeting in which 30 or so people showed up.

► Steel-dust recycling facility concerns raised (Published June 22):A look at some of the earliest concerns raised by residents regarding the project.

► New facility on BorgWarner property could mean 90 jobs (Published Jan. 9): Reporting on initial news that the project would come to the former Borg Warner plant site in Muncie.