Frequently Asked Questions

Did you know that most of the emissions and contaminants in our airshed come from outside of the Fraser Valley? To find out where click here.

 

What is Waste to Energy (WTE) incineration of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)?

Essentially Waste-to-Energy is burning garbage to generate energy. It is the strategy that Metro Vancouver is proposing to dispose of an additional 500,000 of the 1.2 million tonnes of waste per year it says cannot be recycled or diverted.

The proposed draft solid waste management plan for the Metro Vancouver region would allow construction of a new garbage incinerator taking up to 500,000 tonnes per year – remaining garbage would go to the existing Burnaby incinerator or to the Vancouver Landfill in Delta.

The second choice is to send the waste to an out-of-region WTE incinerator, such as one proposed at Gold River on Vancouver Island.

Another option is to continue to send garbage to a remote site such as the Cache Creek landfill.

What does it have to do with Air Quality in the Valley?

Coastal wind patterns and the nature of our geography create a sensitive airshed in the Fraser Valley, particularly susceptible to the build up of air-borne contaminants.

In addition to a number of other chemicals, WTE incineration produces fine particles, including nanoparticulates, which can pass through the most sophisticated scrubbing equipment.

Fine particles are the prime cause of pollution and haze. These same particles can also penetrate deep into the lungs and have been linked to both respiratory and cardiac disease. Both short and long term exposure to elevated concentrations of these particulates has been shown to be hazardous to health.

Incinerators produce harmful chemicals such as dioxins that are not only toxic but also persistent and bio-accumulative. This has an impact on human health, the natural environment and on the livestock and produce that originate in the valley.

What are the impacts of Waste-to-Energy incineration of MSW on the environment?

The biggest environmental impact of Waste-to-Energy is on air quality. The building of new or expanded WTE incineration facilities will introduce additional air-borne pollutants into our sensitive airshed.

Common every day items often contain toxic elements such as lead, cadmium and mercury. If materials containing these elements are not recycled or diverted from the waste stream they may eventually end up in incinerators. When they do, they can result in fine particles being released into the atmosphere. They include nanoparticles which are microscopic and can pass through the most sophisticated scrubbing equipment.

Nanoparticles from incinerators contain neurotoxic metals, stabilized free radicals and compounds such as PCBs as well as dioxins and furans that are synthesized in the burning process.

As well, any toxic elements used by commerce or industry have the potential to end up as nanoparticles produced by incinerators.

REFERENCES:

Pembina Fact Sheet #2
Dr. Paul Connett Video

What are the health impacts of Waste-to-Energy incineration of MSW?

Fine particles have been linked to both respiratory and cardiac disease. Both short and long term exposure to elevated concentrations of these particulates has been shown to be hazardous to health.

There have been many studies which show a correlation between the toxins released from WTE incineration and their impact on human health. These impacts include elevated levels of PCBs and dioxins in the bloodstream and mercury levels in hair, as well as increased rates of death by all cancers combined.

REFERENCES:

Pembina Fact Sheet # 2
Dr. Paul Connett Video

Is Waste-to-Energy incineration of MSW cost-effective?

Analysts of the process don’t agree on the cost-effectiveness of the Waste-to Energy proposal.

The financial model for the plan, based on an AECOM/Sheltair report, was recently reviewed by KPMG LLP Chartered Accountants. The KPMG Cost-Comparison study raises numerous questions about the financial implications and viability of the plan.

The KPMG study indicates that there is not enough information to prove that the capital, operating and maintenance cost estimates are accurate and that detailed cost comparisons of options have not been completed.

The Metro Vancouver financial model highlights that 500,000 tonnes of waste is needed annually for the incinerator to meet its operating targets. Meeting these targets may prove to be a disincentive to waste reduction and recycling programs.

REFERENCES:

Pembina Fact Sheet #3
Pembina Fact Sheet #4
KPMG Report
AECOM Report
Dr. Paul Connett Video

What are the options?

We believe that until the science is conclusive and the WTE incineration technology and emission standards are proven to be effective, efforts should focus on reducing, reusing and recycling, more aggressive diversion targets, industry-led takeback programs and ongoing strategies targeting zero waste.  Recent studies detail options for waste reduction and management that don’t involve incineration.

Morris Study
UBC STUDENTS VIDEO

What happens now?

The 90-day consultation period on the plan ended July 14. On July 30th MV’s Board of Directors adopted the Draft Plan which includes options for building an incinerator inside or outside of the region.

The Draft Plan is now with the Minister of Environment who has the authority to:

  • Approve the plan as presented by Metro without changes,
  • Make changes himself and then approve the amended plan,
  • Flag deficiencies in the plan and send it back for Metro to amend and resubmit.

We will keep you posted on the Minister’s decision!

Reports:

Environment:
Pembina Fact Sheet #2

Health Impacts:
Pembina Fact Sheet # 2

Is it Cost Effective?
Pembina Fact Sheet #3
Pembina Fact Sheet #4
KPMG Report