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There’s some confusion about our opposition to @Emmett_Hanger’s SB1164 (about chemical conversion but falsely referred to as “recycling”). So we’re happy to clarify why the bill has serious consequences and how it impacts Virginia's relationship to a polluting industry [Thread]
First, what does the bill do? It changes the definition of chemical conversion facilities from “solid waste facilities” to “manufacturing facilities.” So the next question is: is that important? Yes! [2/13]
State oversight is dependent on how things are categorized. The former facilities must adhere to different rules & suffer different accountability consequences than the latter facilities. [3/13]
Here’s our sincere belief: Everything about all of the processes described in the bill should be considered a solid waste facility and the permitting/ oversight process should reflect that. [4/13]
At least one facility has already announced plans to build in Virginia and begun the process required to open. So why do they need an exemption? [5/13]
Facilities that operate for the purpose of heating waste to create oil or other products should absolutely be considered a waste facility so the state is on the hook to provide the same level of oversight necessary to protect the surrounding community. [6/13]
These facilities take in solid waste, plastic, and no matter what the process is once inside the facility, there will always at the very least be a waste by-product. [7/13]
Additionally, we’re concerned with the industry at the center of this bill. Very few successful projects exist throughout the country. https://www.no-burn.org/wp-content/uploads/US-ACC-State-Legislation-Alert-2019_Dec-18.pdf [8/13]
Regardless of what the practice is called, chemical conversion centers on heating waste - predominantly plastic - to temperatures high enough to change the composition of the substance, which releases extreme amounts of carbon pollution... [9/13]
and toxifies the air of the surrounding community with particulate matter. In other words, residents living near one of these facilities would breathe in the residue of the waste/chemicals that are being burned. [10/13]
It’s worth mentioning that experimental waste conversion facilities are often built and operate in low income and communities of color.
So while we are glad our state lawmakers are taking an interest in the problem of single-use plastics, this bill is not the answer. [11/13]
So while we are glad our state lawmakers are taking an interest in the problem of single-use plastics, this bill is not the answer. [11/13]
We oppose SB 1164 because we oppose sending a signal to a polluting industry that they are welcome to operate in Virginia under non-solid waste regulations. [12/13]
To wrap things up, perhaps a visual aid would be helpful. Would you want to breathe toxic fumes from burning something like what's in the picture below?
No. So please urge your state senators to oppose SB1164. [13/13]
(Photocred: Clean Fairfax)
](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eta4xqrWQAUWae1.jpg "To wrap things up, perhaps a visual aid would be helpful. Would you want to breathe toxic fumes from burning something like what's in the picture below? No. So please urge your state senators to oppose SB1164. [13/13](Photocred: Clean Fairfax)")
No. So please urge your state senators to oppose SB1164. [13/13]
(Photocred: Clean Fairfax)
