Green groups warn vs repackaged incinerators

Environmental groups have expressed alarm over the "re-emergence" of incinerators, which are allegedly being repackaged as "state-of-the-art and pollution-free machines with zero emission."

The Ecological Waste Coalition (EcoWaste) and Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) said "a new generation" of waste incineration technologies are being "misleadingly marketed" as equipment that would eradicate waste without causing pollution to the environment.

However, these machines, the groups asserted, are nothing but "incinerators in disguise," as they are far from being environment-friendly.

"We in the global south should pay attention to the strategy of the incineration industry in the US and other countries, including Japan," said Manny Calonzo, co-coordinator of GAIA.

"The documented lies and failures of the high temperature disposal technologies should dampen any move to elevate these incinerators as magic solutions to our trash and toxic problems. It makes no sense to buy costly repackaged incinerators when there are ecological options available that will not put community health and environment at risk," he added.

Citing a report made by GAIA and Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice, Calonzo said that these "high-tech" technologies heat waste materials to high temperatures, burn the waste gases, and release toxic pollutants to the environment.

Some of the facilities studied in the report even exceeded emission limits for dioxins and other pollutants, he also said.

EcoWaste and GAIA expressed concern over the comeback of incinerators in the Philippines, taking the case of the controversial facility in Trece Martirez City in Cavite, which environmentalists believe is using incineration in its operation.

The groups pointed out that the country’s Clean Air Act of 1999 prohibits "the burning of municipal, bio-medical and hazardous wastes, which process emits poisonous and toxic fumes," which means a ban on the use of incinerators in the Philippines.

"Depending on what materials are burned and the operating conditions, high temperature waste burners can also generate toxic by products such as particulate matters, persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals and other chemicals of concern as well as waste water and ash or char residues," Calonzo said.

According to EcoWaste and GAIA, incinerators are responsible for 69 percent of global emissions of dioxin, which is the most toxic substance known to science that can cause cancers, immune, reproductive and developmental disorders, and other health problems.

Dioxon is also said to be the primary source of mercury and greenhouse gas emissions.