Burning waste will not make it go away

RELUCTANT as I am to criticise any of our hard-working public representatives, I must take issue with Environment Minister Martin Cullen’s claim that anti-incinerator groups believe in a ‘magic wand’ solution to waste management.

I cannot speak for CHASE, or any of the other community groups, but I am aware that zero waste is not a ‘magic wand’ solution.

It is a sophisticated approach adopted by a growing number of businesses and governments worldwide.

Mass incineration, on the other hand, certainly is indicative of a ‘magic wand’ mentality.

The minister seems to believe that burning waste will make it go away. Any secondary-school chemistry student could correct this mistaken and naive belief.

Mass incineration changes waste into other forms of waste, ie, harmful gases and residual ash.

The Government should reconsider this obsolete and harmful approach to waste management.

Let us not be bullied by the minister’s threats of economic consequences: let us instead call for proper and sustainable waste treatment instead of magic wand Mickey Mouse solutions.

Brendan Richardson,

119, The Spires,

Carrignafoy,

Cobh,

Co Cork.