Plastic Incineration

Plastic pyrolysis is a toxic, plastic burning technology being marketed by the plastics industry as “advanced recycling,” “chemical recycling,” “waste-to-fuel recycling,” “plastic-to-fuel recycling,” and many more names. This technology is highly polluting, emitting known carcinogens into the air that many Ohioans breathe.

The main goal? To turn plastics into fuel by any means necessary. Contrary to what the industry may write, plastic burning is fake recycling and it is a scam.

READ OUR LETTER TO THE US EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency is failing to enforce Clean Air Act emissions regulations on plastic incinerators. We submitted a letter with over 25 organization sign-ons to the US EPA demanding these facilities be regulated!

READ

BEN’s Approach

BEN’s approach is firmly grounded in community-centered organizing. We prioritize providing technical and scientific expertise, logistical support, strategizing, organizing training, and educational opportunities for community members interested in taking action on this issue.

Strategy

BEN is building a strong ground game to identify local community leaders and empower them to take action against plastic burning facilities in their hometowns.

Goals

Our primary goal is to work directly with communities to stop the development of new plastic-burning facilities in the state by delaying construction and disrupt the continued operation of existing plastic burning facilities by challenging the legitimacy of compliance to EPA permits.

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Communities Affected by Pyrolysis

AKRON >

Akron is home to Alterra Energy, the oldest pyrolysis facility in Ohio.

DAYTON >

Dayton is the proposed site for a new agricultural pyrolysis facility owned by NextGeneration Fuel.

HEBRON >

Hebron has a site under construction owned by Freepoint Eco-Systems, affecting Licking County.

IRONTON >

Ironton hosts Ohio’s PureCycle Technologies facility, established in 2018 and still not in commercial production.

JEFFERSONVILLE >

Jeffersonville is the proposed home for a PTTGCA pyrolysis facility.

LOWELLVILLE >

Lowellville is the proposed future home for a SOBE Energy Solutions tire processing facility.

YOUNGSTOWN >

Youngstown is the proposed home for a tire pyrolysis facility owned by SOBE Energy Solutions.

FAQ

What is pyrolysis?
The oil & gas industry is greenwashing plastic burning and calling it “advanced recycling,” “chemical recycling,” “waste-to-fuel recycling,” “plastic-to-fuel recycling,” and many more names. Single-use and other “hard to recycle” plastics are put into giant chemical vats and heated until they decompose into liquids and gases. During this process, cancerous pollutants are leaked into Ohio’s air and water.
 
According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, plastic burning generates little to no recycled plastic. Instead, it produces oil/gas produces hazardous, toxic wastes linked to cancer which increases environmental injustices.

 

These are petrochemical facilities. Petrochemicals are components derived from oil and gas that are used in all sorts of daily products such as plastics, fertilizers, packaging, clothing, digital devices, medical equipment, detergents and tires.

Pyrolysis is not recycling. It is federally regulated as waste incineration, but not enforced in Ohio.

NRDC | Recycling Lies – “Chemical Recycling” of Plastic Is Just Greenwashing Incineration

MOMS CLEAN AIR FORCE | Plastic Incineration Without Pollution Controls

GAIA | Plastic-to-Fuel: A Losing Proposition

GAIA | All Talk and No Recycling: An Investigation of the US “Chemical Recycling” Industry which includes case studies

GAIA | Chemical Recycling: Technical Assessment & Briefing

GREENPEACE | Deception By The Numbers

SAFER STATES | “Chemical Recycling” Legislative Fact Sheet

“Chemical Recycling”/Plastic Burning Workshop hosted by Safer States and BFFP on 4.5.23 | Zoom recording