Detroit City Council’s Solid Waste Recycling/Environmental Waste Task Force has released a plan recommending termination of the use of the incinerator by 2009, at which time the city’s debt obligation to the Greater Detroit Recourse Recovery Authority will be fulfilled.
The task force presents several reasons for the city to stop utilizing the incinerator that include:
- Cost. Detroit is paying an average of $150/ton for its garbage to be incinerated while other cities are paying much less.
- Jobs. Recycling creates more local jobs than incineration or landfill. The task force estimates that more than 1,000 jobs can be created by implementing a recycling program with a 50% participation rate.
- Health. Toxic emissions from the incinerator can lead to an increased rates in asthma and cancer.
- Energy. Energy produced by the incinerator is not clean, renewable nor cost effective.
The plan ultimately recommends curbside recycling, encouragement of composting, an education campaign and incentives for waste reduction.
A copy of the plan can be downloaded from the
Ecology Center’s website.
Source: Solid Waste Recycling/Environmental Waste Task Force Future Solid Waste Plan
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