Philadelphia may soon change the way it manages its waste, potentially ending decades of sending trash to be burned in Chester. A bill introduced to City Council Thursday seeks to ban the city from signing new contracts with companies that incinerate trash to produce energy, such as Reworld, formerly Covanta, which operates a major waste-to-energy facility in Chester, Delaware County.
The legislation comes amid growing concerns over environmental and public health impacts, particularly for communities near incineration plants. About 40% of Philadelphia’s trash is currently incinerated, according to the city’s latest waste management plan, while the rest ends up in landfills. Among the facilities used, Reworld’s Chester plant handles the largest share.
Story Highlights:
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Philadelphia may stop trash incineration at the Chester facility.
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Reworld, formerly Covanta, is the city’s largest waste-to-energy partner.
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40% of Philadelphia’s trash is currently incinerated.
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Incineration emissions include particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, affecting respiratory and cardiovascular health.
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Bill aims to reduce environmental impact and address environmental justice concerns in Chester.
Zulene Mayfield, chairperson of Chester Residents Concerned for Quality Living, said the community has long felt the burden of Philadelphia’s trash.
“Everything that we can divert away from that incinerator will improve our lives and the air quality for everybody,” Mayfield said.
She emphasized that Chester residents have been exposed to the facility’s emissions for decades.
“Our children and our community, we just literally cannot breathe,” she added.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, who sponsored the legislation, noted that Philadelphia’s current contracts with Reworld and Waste Management are set to expire at the end of June 2026.
“Neither disposal method is perfect,” Gauthier said. “Landfilling is not perfect, but trash incineration has a greater impact not only on the environment, but on the people who live around trash incinerators. I think that’s something that we have to be cognizant of.”
Reworld markets its waste-to-energy operations as a more sustainable alternative to landfills. The Chester facility generates enough electricity to power approximately 51,000 homes each year and, according to the company, helps prevent methane emissions that would otherwise be released from landfills.
A company spokesperson emphasized that the facility’s emissions remain “below federal and state limits.” However, Reworld has been cited in the past for environmental violations, highlighting ongoing community concerns.
For Gauthier, the proposed ban on trash incineration contracts is also a matter of environmental justice.
“Ending Philadelphia’s role in perpetuating environmental racism in Chester is crucial,” he said.
More than 70% of Chester residents are Black, and over one in four lives below the poverty line — higher than in Philadelphia.
“Being cleaner and greener can’t just be thought about as only within Philadelphia’s borders,” Gauthier said. “It cannot come at the expense of a city who is more vulnerable than we are. And, we’re breathing the same air,” he added.
The bill represents a potential shift in Philadelphia’s waste management strategy, balancing energy production and environmental responsibility. It highlights growing awareness of how waste-to-energy solutions can impact both local communities and neighboring cities.
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