ALTERNATIVES

Municipal and hospital waste incinerators, are considered to be the largest dioxin sources in industrial countries. PVC plastic is probably the single most significant source of chlorine in these incinerators - the element necessary for dioxin generation. Incinerators that burn hazardous waste from industry are also point sources of dioxin.

Strategies to prevent the generation of these incinerable waste streams currently exist: by toxic use reduction planning within industries; by waste reduction and alternative forms of sterilisation in hospitals; and by efficient reduction, recycling and compost actions at community level for household waste.

"State of the Art" incinerators and cement kilns that burn hazardous waste can never solve our toxic waste problems. We need a Clean Production approach that substitutes safe materials and processes to stop the generation of hazardous waste in the first place.

Cost effective and eco-efficient waste management alternatives to incineration exist. Glass, metals and paper can be easily recycled and reused. Organic waste fractions can be composted at household or community level. Some plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene can be efficiently recycled if collection and recycling systems are based within the region.

Greenpeace Incineration Campaign