DELHI SAYS NO TO WASTE-TO-ENERGY PLANT IN BAWANA

Petitioner:

• Gulmohar Task Force

Decision Makers:

• Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC)
• Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD)

Delhi’s air quality is in a state of emergency, with pollution levels consistently breaching hazardous limits. Despite this, a new Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plant in Bawana is being proposed to burn 3,000 tons of unsegregated waste daily. Existing WTE plants in Okhla, Tehkhand, Ghazipur, and Bawana already burn 7,250 tons daily, releasing toxins like dioxins, furans, and excessive CO₂—leading to severe health issues, climate impact, and economic losses.

The Problem

• Pollution Overload: WTE plants emit harmful pollutants, worsening Delhi’s air quality crisis.
• Health Risks: Toxic emissions cause respiratory issues, cancer, and immune disorders, with long-term effects on public health.
• Climate Threat: WTE plants emit more CO₂ than coal plants, significantly contributing to global warming.
• Economic Drain: WTE projects are expensive, operate at a loss, and discourage sustainable practices like segregation and recycling.

Our Demands

1. Scrap the Bawana WTE Project: Prevent further harm to public health and the environment.
2. Stop Expansion of WTE Plants: Enforce a moratorium on new WTE projects in Delhi-NCR.
3. Conduct Impact Studies: Publish transparent assessments of WTE plants' effects on health and the environment.
4. Implement Sustainable Practices: Prioritize segregation, recycling, and decentralized waste processing.
5. Review Existing WTE Plants: Enforce strict emission standards and reassess current operations.
6. Transition to Zero-Waste Models: Promote waste reduction, reusable materials, and eco-friendly alternatives.
7. Ban Single-Use Plastics: Enforce stricter bans and encourage sustainable alternatives.
8. Involve Communities: Ensure public participation in waste management decisions

Solutions

1. Mandatory Segregation: Separate waste into biodegradable, recyclable, and non-recyclable categories at the source.
2. Decentralized Waste Management: Set up local composting, recycling, and bio-methanation units.
3. Promote Circular Economy: Incentivize businesses to adopt reusable packaging and eco-friendly practices.
4. Strengthen Regulations: Enforce stricter emission standards and continuous monitoring of WTE plants.
5. Public Education: Raise awareness on waste reduction and sustainable waste management practices.

Why This Matters

• Delhi’s WTE plants are emitting pollutants far beyond acceptable limits, causing severe health risks and contributing to climate change.
• The proposed Bawana WTE plant will further endanger public health, while sustainable solutions like segregation and recycling are more effective and cost-efficient.

Act Now

• Public suggestions are open until 26th December, 2024, with a hearing on 28th December, 2024.
• Demand sustainable waste management and a healthier Delhi
• Sign the petition and join us in saying NO to the Bawana WTE plant.
• Together, we can secure a clean, safe future for our city!

Atul Bal

Gulmohar Task Force