Advocates claim major victory for public health and the environment
Ian Bowles announced earlier today the state’s decision to maintain the statewide twenty year moratorium on new incinerators. In addition, the state announced plans for stricter standards of existing incinerators and a commitment to further recycling efforts across the Commonwealth.
“This is a huge victory for public health and the environment in the Bay State,” said Jessica Edgerly, Community Organizer with Toxics Action Center. “All of the communities that have long battled dangerous and polluting waste disposal facilities can breathe a little easier today.”
The decision comes after numerous public hearings held by the state’s Department of Environmental Protection on the content of the new plan. With recycling rates long stagnant in the state, many environmental, public health, and citizen groups, including members of the statewide coalition Don’t Waste Massachusetts, attended the hearings, to press the state for stronger waste reduction plans moving forward. The state also accepted numerous comments from experts and concerned citizens alike.
The continued moratorium halts plans for new incinerators or gasification plants in the state, seeking to burn trash. The state announced plans to go a step further toward reducing the pollution of current incinerators by requiring 1) increased levels of recycling in their waste collection area, 2) lower greenhouse gas and other emissions, and 3) higher energy efficiency rates. In addition, the administration pledged their support to waste reduction measures, including a producer responsibility policy for electronics and an expanded bottle bill.
“Maintaining the incinerator moratorium, increasing recycling, updating the Bottle Bill, and the additional measures Sec. Bowles and the Governor are committing to mean a healthy and happy new year for citizens from the Berkshires to Boston and beyond,” said MASSPIRG Executive Director Janet Domenitz.
Moving forward, the state plans to release a draft of the new Solid Waste Master Plan in early 2010.
“We encourage the state use the new master plan to set a vision for the state,” said Jessica Edgerly. “Massachusetts could be the first to set a statewide goal of zero waste.”
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