A Greenpeace analysis of political manifestos has shown that the Labour Party is the only mainstream party not calling for a moratorium on new incinerators. Both Liberal Democrats and Conservatives have made manifesto pledges to halt the building of incinerators until the effects on public health have been established [1]. The Environment Agency and the House of Commons Select Committee on the Environment both admit that the health effects of incinerators are not yet fully known [2].
Britain currently faces a huge influx of new incinerators [3] as a result of the Government's national waste strategy. The Environment Agency estimates that more than a hundred may be required.
Blake Lee-Harwood, Head of the Toxics Campaign at Greenpeace, said: "Incineration is a Labour Party fetish. While all other mainstream parties recognise the genuine concerns that people have over the health impacts of waste incineration, the Labour Party is happy to preside over a massive influx of new rubbish burners. Most informed commentators accept that there are many unanswered questions about the health effects of incinerators yet Labour have simply dismissed public concerns as unworthy of consideration."
The most notorious by-products of burning rubbish are dioxins, which are formed when substances that contain chlorine, like PVC plastic, are burnt. Dioxins are highly toxic and accumulate in the food chain. The most dangerous dioxin is classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and has been described as the most toxic chemical known to science.
The burning of household rubbish also leads to the formation of many other new and toxic chemical compounds. The number of new substances released from incineration may run into thousands and these will be emitted both as toxic gases from chimneys and as contaminated ash. This leads to the contamination of air, soil and groundwater, as well as plants, animals and humans.
Notes to Editors:
[1] The Conservative London manifesto 'Common sense for London' (launched 11.05.01) states: "Conservatives will introduce new tax incentives for greener vehicles, place a moratorium on new incinerators and clamp down on noise pollutionLabour are planning to construct up to 165 large incinerators across the country, including areas such as Edmonton [in North London]. Yet evidence from the United States suggests that incinerators could cause cancer. The next Conservative Government will introduce a moratorium on new incinerators until there is conclusive scientific evidence on possible health risks. We will also introduce tighter controls on emissions from existing incinerators. Instead, we want a greater emphasis on recycling; Conservatives will give extra resources to councils to allow doorstep collection of recyclables for all households. [our emphasis]"
The Liberal Democrat manifesto for the 2001 general election states: "Our National Recycling Programme will provide a doorstep recycling collection for every household by the end of the next Parliament. We will seek to recycle 60% of household waste within 10 years. We will also gradually increase the landfill tax to encourage alternative methods of disposal, backed up by an eventual ban on all but certain types of waste. We will not build incinerators unless results of research on their impact shows that they are safe and the best environmental option [our emphasis]".
[2] (Mr Blunt) "The reason you were not able to answer Mr Benn's question directlyis that incineration is not safe, is it? If you were asked "is incineration safe?" you cannot say yes." (Dr Whitworth) "I cannot give any categoric answer that any waste management option is safe."
Martin Whitworth, Strategic Policy Manager, Environment Agency. Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment sub-committee, 24/10/00 to 21/12/00
"There aresome truths which can be drawn from the debate over the health impacts of incineration. Firstly, that the health effects which result from an incinerator's emissions are not yet fully known. Secondly, that the regulation of incineration to date has been rather poor and that has resulted in poor practices developing in some incinerators."
Department of Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee, March 2001, report HC 39-1, Delivering Sustainable Waste Management, Vol 1 paragraphs 97/98
[3] Environment Agency forecasts of incinerators needed as part of the Government's national waste strategy:
North West: 4-11
North East: 1-4
Yorkshire/Humber: 2-7
West Midlands: 1-6
East Midlands: 2-5
East of England: 2-7
South East: 4-11
Greater London: 2-11
South West: 2-7
Total if size 300,000 tonnes per year: 21-69
Total if 200,000 tonnes per year: 32-104
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