Proposed Incinerator Reclassification Undermines EU Health And Sustainability Goals, Say NGOs

Main Category: Water - Air Quality / Agriculture
Also Included In: Respiratory / Asthma;  Allergy
Article Date: 09 Apr 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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In a decision criticised today by environment groups, the EU Parliament ENVI Committee voted in favour of EU Commission proposals to reclassify some waste incinerators as energy recovery plants.

Among the critics of the proposals, which form part of the EU Waste Framework Directive, are environmental health network Health Care Without Harm Europe (HCWHE) and waste campaigners GAIA.

Joan Marc Simon, Waste Policy Advisor for HCWHE and GAIA, says: "The decision is subtle but important: by rewarding so-called 'efficient' incinerators with the status of recovery operations, more waste will be burned rather than less.

"In the 21st Century, incinerators still pose considerable risks to human health. As a society, we should maximise waste recycling and minimise waste production and burning."

The ENVI Committee vote will be taken into account when the legislative proposals go into the next phase: negotiation between the European Parliament and Council.

"Recycling rates of 60-85% are being achieved in many communities, and more and more evidence is coming to light showing that recycling is better for the environment than even the most efficient forms of incineration," says Simon.

"Giving incentives to burn waste is therefore a major backward step away from the EU goal of becoming a healthy, sustainable, recycling society."

HCWHE is a health and environment coalition, working to make healthcare more sustainable without compromising patient safety or care. Part of HCWHE's work includes promoting waste minimisation and recycling, whilst ending the use of incineration as a waste disposal method for medical waste.

http://www.noharm.org/europe
http://www.hcwh.org

GAIA, the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, is a global coalition of NGOs promoting sustainable waste practices. This includes discouraging the use of incinerators.

GAIA