Chester gets the odors, noise, air pollution, trash trains, trash trucks, and ash trucks, but only six full-time jobs and under $5 million/year in host fees – much less than the riverfront property could offer with responsible development, perhaps Zero Waste jobs.
Incinerator Jobs for Chester?
Covanta explained in January 2021… they have 105 full-time, salaried employees and only six are Chester residents. 71% of these workers choose to live more than five miles away from their employer; 54% more than 10 miles away.
Where Covanta’s workers live:
Worst Ways to Create Jobs
At least 5-10 times as many jobs could be provided if Zero Waste solutions like reuse, recycling and composting replaced the incinerator.
Source: find this and further info from ILSR compiled at http://www.energyjustice.net/jobs
Chester City & Delco residents say it’s time to end incineration
- Over 1,000 county residents have signed petitions, including hundreds of Chester residents, urging the county to end incineration.
- Chester City voters just unseated a city councilmember, with incinerator issue a driving concern
- 150+ at Environmental Justice Day march in Chester on April 26, 2021, largest environmental action in Chester in years
- Over 200 people turn out for DCSWA’s first ever public hearing on 5/5/2021, passionately opposed to a new Covanta contract (see video and WHYY coverage)
- In 2014, Chester residents distributed 5,000 flyers and packed city hall twice, standing room only, objecting to the city approving 2-3 decades of NYC trash trains
Is passing a resolution telling Chester what to do?
Passing a Zero Waste Resolution is not “telling Chester what to do.” It’s taking responsibility for where your own waste should go. Chester City government can still choose to burn their waste if they like, but the Delaware County Solid Waste Authority should not be steering the county’s trash to Chester or any incinerator. Given the choice, Chester residents would prefer less pollution and Zero Waste jobs in reuse, recycling and composting.
What will happen to Chester City if Delaware County stops burning trash at Covanta?
The city would have up to 31% less pollution from Covanta’s incinerator. The city budget could lose up to $1.3 million/year in host fees. This is why our petitions and municipal Zero Waste Resolutions ask for DCSWA or the county to make Chester whole, covering any shortfall until more sustainable development can replace Covanta.