Re: incinerator closing

[RobC313@aol.com]

Jon
Here is a posting I had sent to another listserve commenting on the work that 
was done.  Nothing really new, just a lot of it.  If you or anyone else would 
like to add to the list perhaps we could compile something we could call 'A 
thousand ways to close an incinerator"

Also, the Lawrence Environmental Justice Council (978-688-3569) has been 
active against the BFI incinerator, perhaps you know them and can work 
together. If you find the key that shuts off incinerators be sure to let us 
know

Rob Cedar
HEAT-Hamtramck Environmental Action Team


Congratulation again to the Western Michigan Environmental Action Council on 
closing the regional  commercial incinerator in Grand Rapids Michigan  The 
BFI incinerator had been operating in violation and noncompliance for 8 years 
and it took a 7 month concentrated effort by WMEAC's  Environmental Health 
Work Group to close it down. I personally had the opportunity of attending a 
few of their meetings and am not surprised by these results.  Jenny Allen 
leading a group of determined and aggressive volunteers, most notably Maris 
Bracheau, Angie Jenkins and others took on the incinerator as though it was a 
matter of life or death.  Mounting a strategic plan that heaped pressure on 
the decision makers they undoubtedly influenced the outcome and closed an 
incinerator that should not have been operating. Add a big thank you to that 
congratulations. Your victory is an inspiration.

Jenny would be to modest to itemize their accomplishments but I believe we 
could all benefit from a quick list of WMEAC's seven months of activism that 
closed a 28 ton per day commercial medical incinerator.

It started with
Hosted an appearance of Andrea Martin Tour in conjunction with Ecology Center 
of Ann Arbor

Utilized existing and expanded media contacts to publicize the issue 

Actively sought information on the incinerator including welcoming HEAT to 
provide a background on medical waste processing.. FOIAed  state records to 
learn about the history of the incinerator, studied FOIAed documents and 
begin dialogs with local state regulatory agencies.

Wrote informed and detailed letters to DEQ and BFI challenging technical 
assumptions and warning of costly but ineffective upgrades. Used actual 
specifics from FOIAed documents.  Assured all concerned that the community 
was keeping a watchful eye on the incinerator compliance issue,

Made initial contacts with local hospitals to create awareness of incinerator 
issue and mercury reduction using HCWH's Greening Hospitals survey for 
discussion points.

Organized letter writing campaigns to EPA,  MDEQ, Grand Rapids City 
commissioner's Office and BFI (stricycle) with outreach to affected community 
groups and  churches

Kept the issue alive in their own newsletter and thru media events including 
the HCWH mercury press release of hospitals taking the mercury free pledge.

Kept asking for original air dispersion model from DEQ when told one wasn't 
conducted as normally required. 

Attended City Commissioners meeting asking for a resolution to close the 
incinerator.

Contacted Environmental Justice leaders David May in Grand Rapids and Robert 
Bullard in Ann Arbor providing socio-economic particulars on downwind 
minority neighborhoods. (obtained from census data).

Met with the Mayor to discuss problem and introduce resolution.

Met with candidate opposing mayor when mayor proved to be unreceptive.

Distributed flyers to several block clubs and community groups to 
re-distribute to their respective communities. 

Wrote petition and begin to organize neighborhoods near incinerator for a 
petition drive.


Closed the incinerator!

And I'm sure dozens of other thing I'm not even aware of. My point is that we 
know there are plenty of medical incinerators out there that should have been 
shut down years ago. I know many of you have already done all these things 
but if you haven't called the mayor since the last election maybe its time. 
For the rest of us trying to figure out what to do next, maybe there's a 
useful idea or two. If anyone would like copies of any of the letters I am 
sure they would be available for the asking.

Rob
HEAT