The Day of Action Against Incineration is a coordinated day of action to demonstrate wide opposition on waste incineration, including Waste-to-Energy (WTE) incinerators, two-stage incinerators (i.e. gasification, pyrolysis), waste co-incineration or co-firing (i.e. burning Refuse Derived Fuels in cement kilns, coal-fired power plants, and other industrial boilers). The day of action is an initiative aimed at raising awareness and mobilizing communities to combat the detrimental impact of waste incineration on the environment and public health. The day of action will be led by GAIA Asia Pacific in coordination with the regional and national organizations who are members of the Philippine Working Group on ADB.
Over the last decade, there has been a significant challenge from massive investments made by governments and international institutions in Waste-to-Energy (WTE) incinerators. Despite growing concerns about their environmental and health impacts, governments often perceive incineration as a quick and convenient solution to waste management. International Financing Institutions (IFIs) have played a role in shaping policies and development knowledge in favor of WTE incineration, further reinforcing its acceptance and proliferation. This highlights the urgent need for a concerted effort to challenge the prevailing narrative and promote sustainable alternatives. Additionally, in autocratic states, communities often bear the brunt of the adverse effects of WTE incinerators without adequate means to voice their concerns or influence decision-making processes. The Day of Action seeks to amplify the voices of affected communities and advocate for their rights to a clean and healthy environment. By presenting evidence of the harms caused by WTE incinerators to the public, the movement aims to create a compelling case for change and hold decision-makers accountable for prioritizing sustainable waste management practices over incineration.
Opportunities and Objectives
- Challenge and retake narratives that WTE & other false solutions are not solutions to climate and waste;
- Increase public engagement on investment; and
- Policy decisions of governments and international financial institutions.
Why should we resist WTE incineration?
- WTE Incineration is climate intensive, harmful to environment and human health
- WTE Incineration delays and diverts resources for real climate action. through prevention of unabated extraction of earth’s resources, redesign of systems and products, and recycling efforts and real renewable energy
- WTE Incineration is disempowering to communities and wastepickers who have already built and gaining the benefits of zero waste systems.
- WTE Incineration derails and delays global and national bans, phaseouts, and regulations on chemicals and waste
- WTE Incineration plants are built nearby marginalized communities
- WTE Incineration displaces wastepickers and creates fewer job opportunities
Campaign Messages
- NO BURN. Burning of public money for climate-intensive WTE incineration derails real climate action as it relies on fossil-plastics and important resources. Burning of earth’s resources as a climate and waste solution is not climate action, circularity or just transition.
- REAL JUST ENERGY TRANSITION. WTE incineration is neither just, nor a transitionary source of energy. Burning fossil plastics only extends the use of fossil fuels and displaces wastepickers jobs.
- PROTECTION NOT POLLUTION. WTEs are harmful to people and the environment. It supports wasteful production and consumption, release toxic and harmful emissions and byproducts. Proponents place them near maginalized communities and pushed in environments without information disclosure and civic participation.
Join the Day of Action Against Incineration
