Philadelphia Weighs Bill to Ban Waste from Largest US Incinerator

Proposed legislation aims to address pollution and public health concerns in Chester neighborhood.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 4:39pm

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Philadelphia City Council is considering a bill that would ban the city from sending its waste to the Reworld (formerly Covanta) incinerator in Chester, Pennsylvania - the largest trash-to-energy incinerator in the country. Activists and public health experts argue the incinerator emits dangerous pollutants that contribute to high rates of childhood asthma in the area, while also hindering economic development. However, the plant's owner says the facility generates electricity for thousands of homes and that diverting waste to landfills would increase greenhouse gas emissions.

Why it matters

The debate over Philadelphia's waste management highlights the environmental justice issues surrounding the siting of polluting facilities in low-income communities of color. It also touches on the broader question of whether waste-to-energy incineration is a sustainable solution compared to landfilling or other waste reduction strategies.

The details

The proposed "Stop Trashing Our Air Act" was introduced by Philadelphia Councilmember Jamie Gauthier. Currently, the city sends 37% of its waste to incinerators, with the majority going to the Reworld facility in Chester. Activists and public health experts argue the incinerator emits harmful pollutants that contribute to high rates of childhood asthma in the area. They also say the facility hinders economic development and leads to more blight. However, Reworld points out that the Chester plant generates electricity for 51,000 homes and that diverting waste to landfills would actually increase greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Philadelphia City Council is currently weighing the proposed "Stop Trashing Our Air Act".

The players

Jamie Gauthier

Philadelphia City Councilmember who introduced the "Stop Trashing Our Air Act".

Zulene Mayfield

Activist with Chester Residents Concerned for Quality of Living (CRCQL).

Sintana Vergara

Assistant professor of engineering at Swarthmore College.

Reworld

The company that owns the Chester incinerator, formerly known as Covanta.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate over the environmental and public health impacts of waste-to-energy incineration versus landfilling, as well as the environmental justice concerns around siting such facilities in low-income communities of color.