In a bold move aimed at addressing the city's environmental and health concerns, Philadelphia Councilmember Jamie Gauthier has introduced the Stop Trashing Our Air Act. The proposed legislation, if passed, will prohibit the city from entering contracts with companies that are engaged in the incineration of its solid waste or recyclables. Gauthier stated, "I’m introducing the Stop Trashing Our Air Act to end the City of Philadelphia’s role in perpetuating environmental racism through trash incineration." This quote was obtained from a recent article published on the Philadelphia City Council website.
Currently, it is estimated that 37% of Philadelphia's trash is incinerated, with a significant portion of it being handled by the Reworld (Covanta) facility in the City of Chester. This plant, the nation's largest trash incinerator according to the same City Council release, burns approximately 3,500 tons of trash and industrial waste every day. The Mayor of Chester, Stefan Roots, has expressed his support for the proposed legislation, emphasizing the negative impacts the Incinerator has burdened his community with.
The implications of incineration are notably severe on the local communities' well-being. Philadelphia bears the unfortunate title of "asthma capital," as dubbed by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, with a distressing one in five children suffering from the condition. Chester residents have long been vocal about their plight. Zulene Mayfield, Chair of Chester Residents Concerned for Quality Living, told the City Council, "Everybody deserves air that is clean enough to sustain life. But for over 30 years, the nation’s largest incinerator has wreaked havoc on our community."
Studies have emphasized that burning trash is significantly more damaging to both the environment and human health compared to landfilling. Mike Ewall, Executive Director of Philadelphia-based Energy Justice Network, pointed out the heightened harm these incinerators cause and called for a stop to feeding them trash from Philadelphia. Further underlining the issue is B. Preston Lyles from Delco Environmental Justice, who articulated the negative quality of life impact this has across the region. The City of Philadelphia's current waste disposal contracts are set to expire at the close of the fiscal year, marking a critical juncture for potential change.
With the impending shift in waste management policy, Candice Lawton, Executive Director of Circular Philadelphia, advocated for the responsibility Philadelphia holds in ensuring waste doesn't just transfer to another damaging system. Lawton mentioned, "This bill is an important step toward protecting communities disproportionately harmed by incineration." She underscored the necessity for innovative solutions that minimize waste, promote recycling infrastructure, and boost the health of local communities. This push towards environmental justice seeks not only to repair harmful legacies but to foster sustainable practices that align with the city's Zero Waste goals.
