Truths about incineration  <pdf version>

Some facts to remember while embarking on an anti-incineration campaign.

Truth No1: INCINERATION DEMANDS CREATION OF WASTE - IT ENCOURAGES WAS PRODUCTION.

Reason: Incineration completely destroys attempts to reduce, recycle and reuse waste because a lot of waste is required to ensure that the incinerator operates. The incinerator also removes responsibility of the waste creator to collect, reduce, and recycle the waste as the waste is burnt.

Truth No.2: INCINERATION DESTROYS RESOURCES.

Reason: A commodity becomes waste when it is of no value to a consumer. However, the material from which the commodity is made is a resource that still has plenty of use. Incinerating the waste will not give any chance for the material to be reused in another form. Thus resources are lost. For example, plastic containers, paper envelopes and bags can be further reused.

Truth No.3: INCINERATION IS NOT FINAL DISPOSAL IT REQUIRES LANDFILLS

Reason: The ash from incineration is very toxic as it has contaminants ranging from heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium) to organochlorines (dioxins and furans). Disposing this waste requires engineered landfill, which will again cost crores of rupees. If the ash is disposed n ordinary municipal dumps, the heavy metals in the ash will leach into the ground water and also the ash can blow in the wind and disperse on land and water bodies.

Truth No.4: INCINERATION PRODUCES TOXIC ASH AND SMOKE

Reason: Incineration is a chemical process where heat reduces the waste into its chemical constituents. Some of these chemical constituents are highly toxic or can react with one another to form toxic chemical compounds that are released in the gases or in the ash.

Truth No.5: INCINERATION IS A VERY EXPENSIVE TECHNOLOGY

Reason: Waste incineration is a very costly technology as the pollution control devices cost crores of rupees. If the technology installed is for a few lakh of rupees then technology is being subsidised at the cost of health and environment.

Truth No. 6: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS ECO-FRIENDLY INCINERATION

Reason: Around the world, incineration as a technology to manage waste is being abandoned due to health-related and environmental problems associated with it.

Truth No.7: INCINERATION IS ENERGY-INTENSIVE

Reason: Incineration is a thermal process. To generate heat fuel is used. For instance, calorific value for Indian waste is around 600-800 k Cal/Kg. Whereas, to generate energy, the minimum calorific value needed is 1200-1400 k Cal/Kg. Therefore an extra fuel has to be added to generate viable energy from incineration.

Truth No.8 : INCINERATION WILL DESTROY LIVELIHOOD OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.

Reason: Waste consists of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste. The non-biodegradable waste has an economic value even after it is thrown out. Occupation and livelihood of a whole informal sector comprising of ragpickers or kabariwallahs (scrap dealers) and recycles depends on this waste. Incineration destroys the source of livelihood of this sector without providing for a safer alternative.

Truth No.9: ENERGY FROM INCINERATION IS NON-RENEWABLE

Reason: Waste is considered as a source of energy because of its calorific content. Its constituents like plastics, paper, metal and other organic material contribute to the calorific content of waste. All of these are recyclable and are derived from non-renewable sources.

Truth No.10: INCINERATION DOES NOT COMPLETELY BURN ALL THE WASTE

Reason: High temperatures are required to ensure that the entire waste is completely burnt. But the Indian experience shows that these high temperatures are never achieved because of the problems in design and operation. Waste comprises of different material including metals that may have high melting points. Also heat may not fully reach the waste that is piled inside the chamber. Thus portions of the waste do not come in contact with high temperatures.