Overview
- Councilmember Mark Squilla introduced a bill Thursday that would require the city to create a “Zero Waste Circular Economy” plan and aim to divert 60% of curbside trash away from landfills and incinerators.
- Several council members led by Jamie Gauthier say they will block a proposed contract with Reworld to send Philadelphia trash to a Chester waste-to-energy incinerator and Gauthier has sponsored separate legislation to ban new incineration contracts.
- The Parker administration has backed Squilla’s planning effort while arguing the proposed awards to WM, Republic and Reworld will save taxpayers money and that landfilling and incineration show no clear overall difference in environmental impact according to city analyses.
- The city extended existing curbside disposal contracts through the end of the year and is preparing to award new four- to seven-year deals now while also exploring longer 20-year options that could include rail transport, municipal composting and anaerobic digestion.
- The council’s decision will affect public health in neighborhoods near disposal sites, lock in disposal methods for years if long contracts are approved, and determine whether the city accelerates investment in recycling and organic processing or continues sending waste to landfills or incinerators.