Philadelphia City Council Delays Vote on Stop Trashing Our Air Bill
Philadelphia City Council has postponed the vote on the critical Stop Trashing Our Air Bill, granting the Office of Clean and Green Initiatives additional time to evaluate and approve waste contracts over the coming months. Despite this delay, Chester residents, including members of CHOICES, passionately shared their testimonies on April 9th, the day originally scheduled for the vote.
The testimonies highlighted the harsh reality faced by Chester residents living near Reworld’s trash incinerator. Many spoke of the devastating effects on their community, including the tragic loss of loved ones to rare cancers primarily attributed to environmental factors. The incinerator’s impact reaches beyond health, disrupting daily lives and exacerbating the challenges faced by those in the area.
While the detrimental effects of the trash incinerator are evident to most, some members of the Philadelphia City Council, who have received donations from Reworld, continue to overlook the harm inflicted on Chester’s residents. This underscores the urgent need to pressure these officials to prioritize people over profits. Supporting Chester residents is not only ethically imperative, but it also benefits the entire Philadelphia area. Cleaner air and a healthier environment knows no boundaries, and the financial implications extend to all. We consider this a win-win for everyone.
Beyond the environmental impact, there are significant financial considerations. Philadelphia taxpayers face higher costs when trash is incinerated rather than landfilled. Incineration contracts incentivize municipalities to produce more waste, as reduced waste results in increased fees. Embracing alternative waste management strategies can create more green jobs, benefiting both the economy and the environment.
The postponement of the vote on the Stop Trashing Our Air Bill must not stop our efforts. It is crucial to continue to apply pressure to the Philadelphia City Council and to tell them to STOP TRASHING OUR AIR! Please continue to call Philly City Council!
Councilmembers to contact!
District 1 – Mark Squilla: [email protected], (215) 686-3458, (215) 686-3459
District 5 – Jeffery Young, Jr.: [email protected], (215) 686-3442, (215) 686-3443
District 8 – Cindy Bass: [email protected], (215) 686-3424, (215) 686-3425
District 2 – Kenyatta Johnson (Council President): [email protected], (215) 686-3412, (215) 686-3413
District 4 – Curtis Jones, Jr.: [email protected], (215) 686-3416, (215) 686-3417
District 6 – Michael Driscoll: [email protected], (215) 686-3444, (215) 686-3445
District 7 – Quetcy Lozada: [email protected], (215) 686-3448, (215) 686-3449
District 9 – Anthony Phillips: [email protected], (215) 686-3455
District 10 – Brian O’Neill: [email protected], (215) 686-3422, (215) 686-3423
At-Large:
Nina Ahmad: [email protected], (215) 686-3450
Kendra Brooks: [email protected], (215) 686-3438, (215) 686-3439
Jim Harrity: [email protected], (215) 686-8295, (215) 686-8296
Rue Landau: [email protected], (215) 686-3420, (215) 686-3421
Nicolas O’Rourke: [email protected], (215) 686-3452
Isaiah Thomas: [email protected], (215) 686-3446, (215) 686-3447
Call Script:
I am calling to encourage Councilmember ______ to vote in support of the Stop Trashing Our Air Act. For far too long, Philadelphia has burned their trash in the City of Chester, contributing to pollution and devastating health-related issues for the city and region. Nearly 1/3 of the materials incinerated at the nation’s largest trash incinerator is from Philly. Burning Philadelphia’s trash is making Chester, Philadelphia, and other communities around our region sick. Incineration is the most polluting and expensive way to manage waste. Please vote to permanently ban the practice of trash incineration with Philly’s solid waste. (We encourage you to add personal notes to this).
