Philadelphia plans to implement a new ordinance to reduce the burning of trash.

In Philadelphia, a significant amount of the city’s waste is transported to Chester, where it is incinerated at the Delaware Valley Resource Recovery Facility, owned by Reworld, previously known as Covanta. However, this practice could soon change, as a new ordinance has been proposed that would prevent the city from burning its waste or recyclables. Currently, approximately 37% of Philadelphia’s waste is incinerated at this facility.

The proposed legislation, termed the Stop Trashing Our Air Act, was introduced by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, who heads the environmental committee. This initiative aims to halt the city’s contracts with companies that incinerate solid waste or recyclables. While no specific date has been set for a council vote on this measure, it has already attracted considerable attention.

Activists and local residents have long protested the Reworld facility, asserting that it contributes to environmental injustice, particularly in communities of color. Gauthier emphasized that the legislation is designed to combat the environmental racism associated with waste incineration, revealing that a significant proportion of the waste burned at the facility originates from Philadelphia.

Environmental activist Zulene Mayfield, who has campaigned against the Reworld facility for decades, has praised the proposed ordinance, arguing that clean air is a fundamental right. She highlighted the detrimental effects of the incinerator on local health and the environment over the past 30 years.

According to Gauthier’s office, nearly one-third of the material incinerated at Reworld comes from Philadelphia. The facility processes around 3,500 tons of waste and industrial refuse daily, including a substantial number of scrap tires that are also burned annually.

Reworld claims its operations provide a sustainable alternative to landfilling waste, converting it into renewable energy, and that it is crucial in minimizing methane emissions from landfills. The facility is reportedly able to power around 70,000 homes through the energy generated from incineration while also claiming to operate under stringent emissions monitoring, staying well within federal and state limits.

However, questions remain regarding the waste’s future if the council approves the incineration ban. Current practices involve transporting waste to up to 11 facilities, including landfills and the Reworld facility itself.

The proposed legislation has garnered support from Chester Mayor Stefan Roots, who underscored the historical burden of having the nation’s largest trash incinerator in his community. He urged the Philadelphia City Council to advance the ordinance and collaborate on regional solutions that prioritize public health and environmental justice.

As discussions continue surrounding the ordinance, it becomes increasingly clear that the outcomes of these deliberations could reshape waste management practices, environmental policies, and community health in both Philadelphia and Chester.