Rotterdam district council demands clarity after Van Leeuwen Recycling fire

The Oud-Charlois Wielewaal district council is demanding urgent clarity regarding health risks following a major fire at Van Leeuwen Recycling on Doklaan in Rotterdam. The fire, which broke out on Friday, August 7, caused significant smoke and odors in surrounding residential areas.

The council is calling on the mayor and aldermen to establish a “clear and binding end date” for business activities at this location, arguing that a recycling facility of this scale and category should not operate in or directly adjacent to a densely populated residential neighborhood. They have also expressed concerns regarding a proposed new location near Lombardijen.

In an advisory to the Rotterdam city government, the council requested data on the specific substances released during the fire, the quantities measured, and the resulting health implications for residents. Additionally, they are seeking information on whether the stored waste materials complied with existing permits and safety regulations. The council noted that the variety of waste streams at the Doklaan site has increased in recent years, contributing to rising noise pollution and concerns over emergency alert effectiveness, as many residents reported not receiving NL-Alert notifications during the incident.