Released by London Against Incineration. Tuesday 27th February, 2001.

TOXIC ASH WEDNESDAY.

On the 28 February 2001, Ash Wednesday at 1.00pm, the local action group London Against Incineration formed from local residents delivered a 4000 strong petition to Steven Byers, the secretary responsible for the decision whether to expand the Edmonton Waste Incinerator by 50%, at Department for Trade and Industry in Victoria Street, SW1. They were dressed in "suits", wearing Incinerator hats (with campaign messages) and masks and accompanied by the mascot, the "mock" incinerator.

This followed a procession through boroughs affected by the fallout of the emissions from the Chimney at Edmonton, through Camden and Islington. Steve Baker Spokesman for London Against Incineration said, "We chose Ash Wednesday some weeks ago to deliver the petition as it seemed symbolic but after the publication of the report from Newcastle University regarding the Byker Incinerator in Newcastle, it surely is Toxic Ash Wednesday!"

The report reveals that at both the Byker and Edmonton Incinerators mix highly toxic fly ash with bottom ash. Fly ash is the ash caught by the filters in the chimneys and by definition is highly toxic. This ash has to be disposed at special sites, these sites are costly. Bottom ash is less hazardous and can be disposed at municipal landfill sites. This mixture was disposed at the municipal sites and also sold to the councils for use on the roads. In Newcastle it was also used as fertiliser on allotments which eventually led to a ban of use of food products from those locations.

Steve Baker said "Again madness prevails, there is no safe level for some of these toxins including Dioxin, one of the most toxic chemicals known to mankind. We are leaving a heritage for future generations to deal with. But we know there are alternatives, which can make money, jobs and a future, which is sustainable. Edmonton Incinerator is affecting the peoples of London. We need to act now, change to reuse, recycling, reduce waste but definitely refuse incineration."

You can contact London Against Incineration by visiting our links page.

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