We envision a society where everyone has equitable access to healthy food and clean air and water, and underserved communities are included in decision making processes that affect them. Together, we move beyond the damaging environmental practices of the past and collectively work to support and maintain ecological resilience and balance.
Reworld Marion, formerly Covanta Marion waste incinerator in Brooks, Oregon.
NEWS FLASH
Oregon’s Waste Incinerator, Reworld Marion, is closing
The facility failed to adhere to emissions monitoring regulations set forth by the 2023 Oregon Legislature and is shuttering its remaining West Coast facilities.
After advocating for stronger Oregon regulations for waste incinerators, Beyond Toxics has learned that Reworld Marion, formerly known as Covanta Marion, will end waste incineration operations as of December 31, 2024. The international corporation stated in communications to Marion County it will turn its attention to “new business opportunities … in North America.”
The corporation’s announcement follows the passage of SB 488, a 2023 environmental health bill introduced by Sen. Deb Patterson of District 10 where the incinerator is located. The bill required regular emissions sampling and reporting of hazardous dioxins, furans, heavy metals and particulate matter pollution from the incinerator. Prior to the bill, Reworld instead conducted one annual pollution stack test.
“Over the past two years, Reworld has repeatedly failed to adhere to air pollution regulations passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2023,” said Lisa Arkin, Executive Director of Beyond Toxics. “We don’t doubt that Reworld would rather close this facility than confess to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and the communities downwind of their operations, the true concentration of the air pollution they spread throughout the mid-Willamette Valley.”
Read the full press release (PDF)
Ward 7 City Councilor Lyndsie Leech speaks to a crowd of communiy members at the Oct. 7th meeting in Bethel who were there to discuss the proposed USD Clean Fuels facility. (Left to R) Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis, Beyond Toxics Executive Director Lisa Arkin and Zach Mulholland (on stage) also spoke. Photo by Emily Matlock.
Justice for Trainsong campaign
Our first community meeting on the proposed siting of a biofuels transfer station in the Trainsong neighborhood was a great success, with lots of community involvement and an attentive visit from Eugene's Mayor Vinis and Ward 7's City Councilor Lyndsie Leech!
3 stories have appeared in the local press (so far):
Pollution concerns reignited as Eugene residents raise alarm over planned fuel facility
By Hannarose McGuinness, Eugene Register-Guard
Bethel community groups hold meeting about proposed fuels facility (KEZI)
By Jennifer Singh, Robert Desaulniers
and
Residents near proposed Eugene fuel site express spill fears at public forum (KMTR)
Visit our Justice for Trainsong campaign page for more details!
Join us for the
Eugene Environmental Film Festival
See you to the Eugene Environmental Film Festival next week!
Our team will be participating in a special screening of Electrifying Eugene at the ArtHouse on Thursday, October 17th!
About the Film:
Electrifying Eugene offers a first-hand look at how cities can navigate the challenges of moving away from fossil fuels while facing resistance from the gas industry. Following the work of Aya Cockram of Fossil Free Eugene, Arjorie Arberry-Baribeault of Beyond Toxics, Jan Hasselman of Earthjustice, Danny Noonan of Breach Collective, and Eugene’s Mayor Lucy Vinis, the film showcases Eugene’s journey to decarbonization. Watch as our community pushes back against Oregon’s largest gas utility, Northwest Natural, and builds a strong coalition for electrification.
Event Details:
📅 Date: Thursday, October 17th
📍 Location: ArtHouse
🕕 Time: 6:00 p.m.
We will be there in person, engaging with the audience and leading a call to action to rally local activists and community members. This is a great opportunity to connect, learn, and find out how you can take part in the movement for a cleaner, healthier future in Eugene.
🎟️ Get your tickets online or at the door and invite your friends to join us in this electrifying experience!
Find out more at the Eugene Environmental Film Festival website
Read more about the threat of a new class of chemicals called PFAs!
PFAS chemicals are a class of chemicals that appear to have infiltrated every corner of our modern world. PFAS’ human-made chemicals are in our blood, clothes, and cosmetics. They are in air, water, soil, sediments, and in rain.
PFAS either are, or degrade to, persistent chemicals that accumulate in humans, animals and the environment. This adds to the total burden of chemicals to which people are exposed and increases the risk of health impacts. | Read more->>
ALSO:
See our new page: Chemicals that were once common and are now banned in the U.S. (information provided by Stuart Greenleaf)
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