Archived press release

Communities say no to incineration

15 June 2002

GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST WASTE INCINERATION

Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to rule out the building of new mass-burn incinerators and concentrate instead on improving the UK's woeful recycling record. The challenge coincides with Monday's (17 June) Global Day of Action Against Waste Incineration [1]. On Tuesday a Zero Waste Parliamentary meeting is taking place in Westminster to launch the Zero Waste Charter and Ten Point Plan [see below].

Under European law the UK Government has to ensure that less than a third of our domestic waste goes to landfill by 2020. But, because our Government has set such a low target for recycling waste (30 per cent by 2010 - whilst countries like Switzerland already recycle more than 50 per cent), scores of incinerators are in the pipeline as local authorities look for the quickest option to meet European requirements [2].

Communities around the UK are already fighting incinerator proposals - and many have organised activities to coincide with the Global Day of Action (see below). Incinerators are opposed for a variety of reasons:

• Pollution: People are concerned about the potential impact incineration may have on their health. Although modern incinerators are designed to reduce polluting emissions, they still emit chemicals that cause concern. Smoke, gases and toxic ash can contain dioxins which are harmful even at very low levels. Dioxins are known to cause cancer and can affect our bodies = hormones. Toxic ash from the burning also needs to be disposed of in landfill sites, where it can release harmful chemicals into rivers and streams. A FOE briefing is available:
  www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/incineration_health_issues.pdf
• Waste creation: Rather than reduce waste, incinerators actually create a demand for it. They need a minimum amount of waste to operate, and a long term supply to make a profit on the plant's investment. Some councils have had to meet this demand by bringing in waste from other areas and have abandoned plans to reduce and recycle.
• They don't save energy. Some incinerators are promoted as "waste to energy" plants because they can generate electricity. But they are not an energy saving option. Reusing waste and recycling saves more energy because it means that fewer new products have to be made and fewer raw materials have to be used.
• Traffic: Heavy lorries are used to deliver waste and collect toxic ash. A medium-sized incinerator needs around 50 lorry journeys every day.

Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to:

• Rule out the building of new mass-burn incinerators;
• Increase the UK domestic waste recycling target to at least 50 per cent by 2010;
• Ensure that every household has access to a doorstep recycling collection scheme.
  

Claire Wilton, Incineration Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:
"Communities across the UK are fighting vigorous campaigns to prevent incinerators being built in their area. They are deeply worried about the potential impacts on their health and recognise that burning our waste is harmful to the environment. The Government must get to grips with this problem by calling a halt to new incinerators, reducing waste and dramatically improving our record on recycling. Every household should have a doorstep recycling service so recycling is as easy as putting out our rubbish."

Notes

Activities are taking place in a number of places around the UK including:

• London - Zero Waste Parliamentary meeting, Tuesday 18 June, 1pm-3pm. Hosted by Sue Doughty MP for Guildford and LibDem spokesperson for waste. Launch of the Zero Waste Charter and Ten Point Plan, supported by Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, SERA, Communities Against Toxics and the UK Zero Waste Alliance. Internationally-renowned recycling experts will show how across the world authorities are already recycling and composting between 60% and 85% and moving towards a Zero Waste concept. This means that waste is valued as resources, where toxic and non-recyclable materials are eliminated and products are designed for durability and recyclability.
• Photocall: Between 3.30pm - 4.30pm, a rally with Moses with his tablet of stone and the Zero Waste Ten Commandments. Groups from incinerator battles including Newcastle, Hull, Kidderminster, Derby, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Kent, Essex and London will bring their banners and props.
• Chelmsford - A 'Mad Hatter's Trial' will take place on the steps of Chelmsford's County Hall at 11am. The protest is aimed at the county council's refusal to change its policy in the Waste Plan which allows incinerators to be built at six sites in Essex.
• Derby - demonstrations will be held on Monday 17 June to oppose Derby Council's plans for a gasifier.
• Slough - West London Friends of the Earth, supported by Greenpeace, is holding a day of action in Slough Town Centre on 22nd June from 11am - 3pm to protest at Slough Borough Council hiring Entec (a subsidiary of incinerator company SITA) to prepare the waste plan for Slough.
• Leeds, Sheffield, Hull and Huddersfield - Saturday 15 June, simultaneous demonstrations urging local authorities to resist incineration.
  www.no-burn.org/actionkit/gdahome.html

2. The Government's Performance and Innovation Unit (PIU) is now reviewing the Government's Waste Strategy. It is expected to report in September.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust