The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) Asia Pacific raised the red flag on the Philippines’ proposed waste-to-energy (WTE) facilities.
According to Jorge Emmanuel, WTE could be harmful to the environment as it emits pollutants and greenhouse gasses. The energy that can be harnessed from WTE is also very minuscule.
Emmanuel cited the example of WTE facilities in the Netherlands, that despite being state of the art, had emitted dioxins over the level limits. The dioxins were found in grass and eggs from farms that were 10 kilometers away.
According to the world health organization, dioxins can damage immune systems and even cause cancer.
Senator Win Gatchalian supported Senate Bill No. 1789 or the proposed Waste-to-Energy Act that allows the use of waste-to-energy facilities to dispose of household waste in September 2020.