Colorado can take bold step to block pollution with critical anti-incineration bill
Key committee voting on SB 24-150 today, which preserves public health and promotes a circular economy by blocking waste and plastic incineration
DENVER – The Colorado Senate Transportation and Energy Committee will vote on Senate Bill 24-150, a groundbreaking piece of legislation that seeks to ban the construction and operation of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) incinerators and plastics-to-fuel facilities within the state.
The bill is a response to the harmful health and environmental impacts of waste incineration and plastics-to-fuel processes negatively impacting communities in other states, including the emission of toxic pollutants such as dioxins, arsenic, mercury, and benzene, which are associated with serious health issues ranging from cancers to respiratory disorders. Nearly 80% of facilities that incinerate MSW, including the burning of plastics, are built in low-income and BIPOC communities.
“We can be a leader in reducing pollution and protecting health,” said State Senator Lisa Cutter, one of the bill’s sponsors. “Incineration and plastics-to-fuel release dangerous emissions and adversely impact air quality. At a time when our air pollution is at dangerously high levels, we must do everything we can to protect our air quality.
“Air quality is a huge concern for Senate District 21, and anything we can do to improve our air quality, especially for our most vulnerable communities, is essential,” said State Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet. “This bill will make sure that we recycle plastics in a sustainable way that does not further pollute our communities. I am so thankful to be working with such environmental champions to bring this forward.”
” In Colorado, we’re promoting plastic recycling and working toward a circular economy where recyclable raw materials are used to create new products,” said State Representative Meg Froelich, one of the bill’s sponsors “It is imperative that we make sure to recycle plastics in a sustainable, non-polluting and non-fossil fuel intensive way. This bill ensures that we are good stewards of our Colorado air and water when recycling plastics.”
“ Waste incinerators and plastics-to-fuel facilities are notorious for releasing toxic pollutants in other parts of the country,” said Randy Moorman, Director of Policy and Community Campaigns, Eco-Cycle.“Colorado already has enough environmental justice and air quality challenges. That’s why Colorado needs to say no to waste incineration and plastics-to-fuel.”
SB24-150 would prohibit the construction and operation of MSW incinerators and the construction and operation of plastics-to-fuel facilities. Currently, Colorado does not have these facilities. Colorado would be the first state to block these heavily polluting facilities.
“The toxins released from processes like plastic-to-energy conversion and waste incineration, such as dioxins, heavy metals, and particulate matter, represent a significant environmental challenge,” said Henry Stiles, Zero Waste Advocate with Environment Colorado.”This bill will save us from facing that challenge in Colorado.”
The bill is sponsored by State Senator Lisa Cutter and State Representative Meg Froelich. It will be heard in the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee today at 1:30pm.
For more information on Senate Bill 24-150, visit Eco-Cycle’s Colorado policy page.