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The Department of Public Health announced late Friday it's denying the operating permit for industrial metal shredder Southside Recycling.

Why it matters: The city sided with environmentalists who have been pushing to keep the metal shredder from operating out of the Southeast Side community.

Context: The metal shredder formerly known as General Iron was closed on the North Side to make way for the mega-development Lincoln Yards.

What they're saying: "This decision can be a turning point for communities of color that have been hurt by environmental racism for decades," the Southeast Environmental Task Force said in a statement.

The big picture: Environmentalists have fought to deny this permit through rallies, press conferences and hunger strikes. Groups have protested pollution on the Southeast Side for years, including a widely publicized battle against petcoke producers.

The other side: "We have built the most environmentally conscious metal recycling facility in the country, but politicians and government officials have ignored the facts," Southside Recycling owner RMG said in a statement.

What's next: RMG, which says it's spent over $80 million on this venture, plans to sue the city.

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