Zero Waste Aotearoa marked the international day of action against incineration on Tuesday 30 September. This action is part of our call to the central government to institute an immediate moratorium on waste-to-energy incineration.

In the European Union, as part of the day of action, 156 civil society organisations have issued a joint letter to President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Commissioners, and national ministers calling for an immediate moratorium on approving and building new waste incineration facilities across the European Union (EU).

Zero Waste Europe says, “Communities living near existing incinerators have been vocal about the health impacts of toxic emissions, including persistent pollutants such as dioxins, PFAS, and heavy metals. These pollutants are linked to cancer, immune dysfunction, and developmental harm.”

“Meanwhile here in Aotearoa NZ, Te Awamutu, Waimate, Feilding are just three of the communities who have had to fight off toxic incinerator proposals recently. There isn’t even a clear outcome in Te Awamutu as the company seeking to build the incinerator has refused to pay its outstanding bill for the consent hearing. The whole town is in limbo,” said Dorte Wray, General Manager of Zero Waste Aotearoa.

“Central government must give clear signals that investment at the top of the waste hierarchy in reduction, reuse and repair is a priority. This is investment that can deliver meaningful impacts for waste and climate change while also providing employment and strengthening community resilience. Dirty incinerators are a supremely bad choice for the economy, environment and communities when we have hundreds of ways to drastically reduce waste now.”

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