Stop Trashing Our Air (250768)

Second-graders urged Council to pass the incineration ban, citing asthma rates in Chester and toxic ash, and asking for composting and recycling instead.

A Just Zero staff attorney urged passage, noting incinerators are toxic, outdated and financially unsustainable.

Argued the bill would increase union jobs and cut only a small share of trash to the Chester incinerator, countering misinformation.

Accused Sanitation of running out the clock on the contracting process and urged Council to pass the bill before a last-minute contract decision.

Co-founder of Block by Block asked Council simply to stop burning the trash his organization cleans up.

A Kingsessing resident called the incinerator's impact on majority-Black Chester environmental racism and urged passage before contracts expire June 30.

Cited the million pounds of trash burned daily in Chester and studies showing incineration is 23 times worse for health than landfilling.

A photographer with the Earth Day Kids anti-violence group urged support for the bill and for the group's injured leader.

Called the bill 'a badge of slavery and a 13th Amendment violation' — the lone outright opponent among incineration-testimony speakers.

Cited the American Lung Association's failing air-quality grades and argued incineration violates Pennsylvania's constitutional right to clean air.