12th Apr 2007

Smoke 'em out

Green Councillor Andy D'Agorne challenges York's Lib Dem Council to oppose any form of incineration of York's municipal waste.

The Greens' key concerns are the effect of emissions on human health and the environment, and the fact that incineration creates a demand for refuse to burn instead of reducing, re-using or recycling the waste.

Andy D'Agorne says, "The Green Party supports the promises made by the Lib Dems to increase the proportion of waste that we recycle to over 50% and we have proposed trials of communal collections for people in flats. However, we feel that local Lib Dems are failing to support their national party position on incineration."

"I know that Lib Dem Shadow Environment Secretary, Chris Huhne MP, has said,¹ 'The Government should set a target of Zero Waste for all municipal rubbish in the UK by 2020. This will mean more doorstep collection of dry recyclables to remove the incentives for incineration.' I therefore challenge the Lib Dems to oppose any form of incineration of York's municipal waste."

In advance of the Council meeting, York Residents Against Incineration (YRAIN) planned to "smoke out" which Councillors still believe that burning refuse is an acceptable way to dispose of it.

A seven-foot tall model incinerator was erected outside York's Mansion House to remind Councillors of the noxious effect of waste incineration.

Dave Taylor, spokesperson for YRAIN, said, "We've challenged York Council to increase recycling rates and, to be fair, it has improved greatly on what the Labour administration was prepared to do previously. York residents have been brilliant in pushing the rates of recycling higher and we can still do more. However, no-one can recycle waste if it's been burnt in an incinerator."

"In Sheffield where there is an incinerator there is only monthly kerbside paper and card collection - no plastic at all because they need the plastic and paper to burn!"

"YRAIN intends to smoke out the Councillors who still cling to this inferior incineration scheme and to find out where in North Yorkshire they would choose to despoil by building one?"

YRAIN has created a series of mock images showing how North Yorkshire's beautiful environment could be defiled by a smoking incinerator chimney. See them online and join the campaign at www.noburner.org.uk