TEE CEE’S TIP

I was talking to a relative recently about plastic pollution, and how I wish we could put an end to single-use plastics. My relative responded that plastics can be burned and turned into energy, so he thinks that’s good and we shouldn’t stop production. I don’t know much about making energy through burning trash, but it doesn’t sound good. What do you think?

Although it might sound like a tempting solution to our plastic pollution problem, you’re right to be skeptical of burning trash for energy. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) incineration (aka “waste-to-energy”) and plastics-to-fuel processes are harmful, false solutions to managing waste that exacerbate the climate crisis and perpetuate natural resource extraction.

In addition to their extensively documented adverse effects on communities, the environment, and waste systems, incineration facilities stimulate the demand to generate MORE waste, not less, countering progress in protecting our environment and human health. These facilities require substantial investments, often relying on public funding. Once operational, they must be “fed” a constant supply of waste to justify their existence, creating an economic incentive for waste generation. It’s akin to kindling a fire— once lit, it must be continually fueled.

Across the U.S., environmental regulations are currently being slashed to allow the conversion of waste and plastics into “fuel,” even though we know the harm outweighs any supposed benefits. Here are some key points that illustrate why burning waste isn’t the solution:

• Harmful impacts to human health: Plastics-tofuel processes use and produce hazardous chemicals and toxic pollutants correlated with cancers, neurological disorders, heart problems, and reproductive, immune and respiratory disorders.

• Disproportionate pollution in vulnerable communities: Nearly 80% of facilities that incinerate MSW, including the burning of plastics, are built in low-income and BIPOC communities.

• Disrupting Colorado’s circular economy: MSW incineration and plastics-tofuel processes destroy the value of extracted natural resources that could otherwise be conserved or recycled back into the supply chain.

• Never worth the costs: MSW incineration and plastics-to-fuel projects are expensive approaches to waste management that nearly always rely on government investment of taxpayer dollars and/or credits to build. MSW incineration is the most expensive method to manage waste and the second most expensive method of generating electricity.

Colorado currently has no waste incineration or plastics-to-fuel facilities, and some legislators are working to keep it that way by introducing the Anti— Incineration & Plasticsto-fuel Act. You can learn more about that bill at ecocycle.org.

So, Manny, you might share with your relative that rather than trying to find ways to just make our waste “go away,” we need more sustainable alternatives that truly protect natural resources, climate, and communities, such as reusing, recycling, composting, and, exactly as you say, reducing single-use plastics altogether.