6 Reasons Not To Incinerate
“One thing I like doing is breathing”, said Wayne Snerle at a recent Public Consultation meeting on Metro Vancouver’s Waste Management Plan.
In addition to initiatives to reduce and divert waste by 2015, the plan proposes a Waste-to-Energy (WTE) strategy to annually incinerate 500,000 tonnes of garbage that will not be recycled, composted or otherwise diverted from households, business and industry.
Snerle, a former firefighter, opposes the WTE strategy based on his knowledge of the staggering number of chemicals released into the smoke of a typical household fire – more than 500.
That’s the view of only one of the many citizens who shared their concerns about the health, environmental and cost impacts of the proposed WTE incineration strategy at the public meeting.
Dr. Douw Steyn a UBC Professor in the Atmospheric Science Program Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, shares their concern and recently provided a list of six reasons not to incinerate garbage in the Metro Vancouver region.
1. Over the past two decades, the Fraser Valley has achieved about a 35 per cent reduction in emissions of ozone precursor pollutants. This is significant. Adding another emissions source (WTE incinerator) could undo those reductions. It is a step backward.
2. The shape and prevailing winds in the Fraser Valley airshed do not disperse pollutants. Air quality is already a serious concern.
3. Over time, the amount and chemical reactivity of emissions has been reduced. At the same time, there has been a shift eastwards in ozone exceedance (from Port Moody-Maple Ridge area to the Hope-Chilliwack valley). This is not fully understood. Until it is, we should not add more emissions to the airshed.
4. Incineration discourages the reduction and diversion of waste, which are clearly preferable options. Incinerators rely on garbage as feedstock. The Metro Vancouver region could ultimately be forced to import garbage to meet contractual obligations for electricity and heat.
5. Background ozone is increasing and it will become increasingly difficult to keep regional ozone levels below the Canada Wide Standard. This is a hemispheric problem, requiring international collaboration. All emissions will have to be curtailed to meet future targets.
And finally, said Dr. Steyn;
6. Incineration is “a dangerous thing” with many hidden costs. Incinerate as a last resort but do not use waste-to-energy as a justification for incineration.
Between Dr. Steyn and Wayne Snerle that’s a powerful list of reasons for Metro Vancouver to consider before moving forward with their plan. What reasons would you add?
View a video of Dr.Steyn’s full presentation ‘6 Reasons’ below: