Covanta Pollutes the Central Valley’s Air, Then Sponsors Modesto’s Earth Day

The Covanta Waste-to-Energy Garbage Incinerator in Crows Landing Pollutes Our Air! The incinerator emits dangerous toxic chemicals & toxic metals into the air, including dioxin. Dioxin is one of the most toxic chemicals know to science. According to the U.S. EPA, incineration of municipal solid waste & medical waste are major sources of dioxin.The incinerator cannot completely or safely destroy all the waste being burned &, in fact, creates dioxin & emits it & other toxic chemicals & toxic metals into the air. Major studies prove that even low levels of dioxin can cause illnesses like cancer & birth defects. Stanislaus County officials claimed Covanta was here to serve Stanislaus County, however, non-household waste is imported from other counties & states to be burned & landfilled on the West-Side of Stanislaus County. We need more recycling & refuse of waste – not incineration.

Covanta burns about 800 tons of solid waste PER DAY! The waste & garbage is imported long distances from various counties like Alemeda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Mariposa, Merced, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, Solano, Tuolumne, & Yolo & other states including Washington, Oregon, & Nevada.

Covanta & the Fink Road Landfill imported 27,507 tons of waste in 2003 from outside of Stanislaus County. In 2001 the incinerator tried to import medical waste from across the state to be burned here, but concerned residents stopped that toxic threat!

Speak Out for Clean Air & Environmental Justice! Stop the Incinerator!