Following ongoing heatwaves and ongoing high fire risks, the ACT Greens are pushing for the ACT Government to renew their now lapsed policy to ban waste-to energy incinerators.
ACT Greens Deputy Leader Jo Clay says that there is no social license for waste-to-energy incinerator projects in the region.
"Right now we are seeing the real impact of climate disasters: destruction, disconnection and lives lost. We cannot afford for governments to stall on climate action - and that includes a long-lasting ban on waste-to-energy," Ms Clay said.
"Following the NSW Government's proposal for a waste-to-energy incinerator in Tarago, people in Canberra, and the Queanbeyan and Goulburn regions have contacted the Greens concerned about the impact it will have on our region.
"Waste-to-energy produces harmful byproducts and pollutants like heavy metals, toxic air pollutants, bottom ash, furans and dioxins. It poses many risks for people, nature, our waterways, agriculture and our climate.
"Burning waste for energy creates greenhouse gas emissions and is not a sustainable or efficient source of energy.
"The ACT's Waste-to-energy Policy 2020-25 prohibits thermal waste-to-energy including incineration, gasification and pyrolysis. It's time for Labor to put the conversation to rest and extend the ban indefinitely.
"Canberrans have a right to a healthy environment. They have a right to know the ACT Government will continue to prohibit harmful and polluting waste-to-energy incinerator projects.
"Considering the ACT is powered by 100% renewable electricity and is phasing out fossil fuel gas, there is no reason for the Government to delay renewing the ban."
Ms Clay also urges the ACT Government to immediately progress establishing a circular economy in Canberra to manage waste without harming people and planet.
"Waste-to-energy disincentivises our moves towards a circular economy. It can also promote more waste generation than ever before.
"In the ACT, we have a resource recovery target of 90%. But our actual resource recovery has dropped to only 65%. We need the government to do more - to put policies in place that reduce waste production and create a lifecycle solution for waste we generate.
"We need local recycling facilities that can process household waste so there's no need to burn it - like soft plastics.
"Instead, the ACT Labor Government sits back and waits for a federal scheme to manage soft plastics, even though it's taken decades to progress.
"Governments at all levels must work with industry to design out waste and stop the problem at its source.
"If we don't move towards a circular economy, we will see more waste in landfill and more harmful solutions for waste management like waste-to-energy projects."
As stated by Chair of Toxics Free Australia, Jane Bremmer:
"The ACT has been a leader and a beacon of light in safeguarding a sustainable zero waste policy for a true Circular Economy in Australia.
"Burning our waste makes no sense when it is the most expensive and polluting way to make energy or manage what should be the smallest fraction of our waste stream - residual waste.
"Waste incineration threatens the urgent, global transition to clean renewable energy, emitting more carbon pollution than coal and gas per unit of energy, supports and vindicates the existing policy position of the ACT Government and the ACT Greens' leadership.
"Advanced Waste Sorting Technologies coupled with non- combustion residual waste technologies can deliver the sustainable, climate friendly, cheaper and more secure, waste management framework that Australia needs and with 200 times more jobs.
"While the waste incineration industry currently has no social license to operate in Australia and with the EU turning away from this technology, the ACT should continue to uphold its ban for the protection of future generations."
