Greenpeace today (01.00am) ended the occupation of the 100 metre chimney at Edmonton incinerator after supplies of food and water ran out. The volunteers had successfully occupied the chimney for four days in the face of appalling weather conditions.
As a result of the Greenpeace occupation:
- The Mayor of London has backed the Greenpeace campaign to stop the expansion of Edmonton incinerator and boost recycling in London
- Greenpeace stopped 8 tonnes of acid gases being dumped on the residents of Edmonton
- Londoners are now alerted to plans to expand the number of incinerators in London from two to six. Government figures show that current emissions from Edmonton incinerator alone could lead to fifteen premature deaths per year
Matthew Spencer, Campaigns Manager at Greenpeace in the UK, said: "The volunteers have done a fantastic job in the face of terrible conditions. Our occupation of Edmonton incinerator has galvanised public opinion against incineration and started a political process which we hope will end incineration and massively boost recycling in London. We have protected the residents of Edmonton from eight tonnes of acid gases and showed that they are not alone in their fight against the incinerator. Greenpeace campaigns have achieved a ban on incineration at sea and we will continue to campaign for a ban on incineration on land."
There will be a public meeting about the incinerator on 18th October in the Edmonton area.
The volunteers who occupied the incinerator are: Rob Gueterbock, Janet Miller, Richard Watson, Frank Hewetson, Christian Aslund
Further information:
Contact:
Greenpeace press office on: 020 7865 8255
