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 Dec. 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.

Beyond Toxics, a clean air advocacy group who worked with the senator, has long championed strong healthy air and chemical right-to-know laws. The environmental justice organization works with the Energy Justice Network and leads the Clean Air Now coalition dedicated to researching and educating the public about the highly dangerous air pollution caused by trash incineration.

“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.”

Beyond Toxics first drew attention to environmental health concerns regarding waste incineration when it conducted an environmental monitoring project in 2022. Moss samples collected at various distances showed increasing quantities of heavy metals the closer the samples were taken to the incinerator.

Some heavy metals, such as lead, have no safe level of exposure. Other air pollutants like dioxin are highly persistent in the environment and are highly toxic and can cause cancer,

reproductive and developmental problems, damage to the immune system, and can interfere with the body’s balance of hormones, per the U.S. EPA.

“The closure of this incinerator gives us all the opportunity to advance better programs to reduce waste, and recycle, repurpose and reuse our trash,” Arkin said. “Incineration pollution is too toxic for communities, especially those who are already harmed by industrial chemical exposure.”