Letter to the Editor: Join in ‘Stop Trashing Our Air’ Lobby Day this Thursday
January 12, 2026
Like many of my West Philly neighbors, I am troubled that our City Government is sending more than a third of the City’s trash to the Reworld (Covanta) incinerator in Chester, PA, for burning. Incinerating trash releases toxins that pollute our own air as well as Chester’s, contributing to high rates of asthma, lung cancer, and other respiratory disease. In November, the West Philly Local reported on a bill to stop this practice. Introduced by West Philly’s City Councilmember, Jamie Gauthier, HB 250788, the Stop Trashing Our Air Act, would bar the City Government from signing new contracts for trash incineration.
The Council’s Environmental Committee, which Gauthier heads, held a hearing on the bill last November at which many Philadelphians, including some from our neighborhood, expressed strong support. However, the bill was pulled from the legislative calendar due to opposition, largely orchestrated by Reworld, the incineration company that stands to lose the City’s business.
Bill No. 250788 will again be brought up for a vote later this month, and it seems that several Councilmembers are on the fence. To convince them to vote yes, you can join in a lobby day organized by Reclaim Philadelphia on Thursday, January 15, from 2 to 4:30 p.m.. Volunteers will be divided into small groups to speak with Councilmembers and their staffers. They will be asked to share stories about why ending incineration is important for them personally, and to present some basic facts about Philadelphia’s dirty practices. All City residents, with any level of experience, are welcome and encouraged to join this effort. We will be given the info we need and logistical support. If you can join on January 15th, please sign up with this form!
– Elaine Fultz
