Clean air and a safe commune – what do waste incineration plants really provide?

In the country, we produce approximately 13 million tonnes of municipal waste annually and almost ten times more industrial waste, including hazardous waste.

With economic development and growing consumption, huge amounts of waste are generated – not only municipal waste, but also industrial and medical waste, which pose a much greater challenge.

While municipalities are increasingly managing municipal waste through public education, sorting, and modern installations, the situation with hazardous waste is much more challenging. Lack of infrastructure and insufficient processing capacity result in a large portion of this waste ending up in landfills, posing a real threat to the environment and the health of residents.

Hazardous waste, particularly that originating from the chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and healthcare industries, is largely unsuitable for raw material and material recovery. Storing it poses numerous challenges and is impossible due to potential epidemiological, ecological, and fire hazards. Thermal processing of this waste at high temperatures and under controlled conditions is one of the few methods for its sustainable and safe management. This method utilizes waste as a source of energy, known as energy recovery.

There are currently 21 non-municipal waste incineration plants operating in Poland, of which only six have the capacity to process industrial and medical waste.

The existing hazardous waste incineration plants are based on technologies compliant with EU standards and meet the highest environmental protection standards.

Modern incinerators feature advanced exhaust gas purification systems that eliminate dust and harmful compounds, continuous emission monitoring available to services and the local community, energy and heat recovery that supports energy self-sufficiency in municipalities, and a lack of odors and uncontrolled emissions, thanks to hermetic processes and filtration.

Public opposition to planned construction or existing incineration plants often stems from a lack of reliable knowledge. Today's incineration plants are primarily installations that utilize waste as a source of energy while eliminating the risks posed by hazardous waste.

For residents of municipalities and other local government units, this is not only a matter of environmental protection but also a tool for combating the "gray zone" in waste management. It allows for the elimination of illegal waste storage sites and protects the environment from the constantly generated large quantities of waste. The lack of sufficient infrastructure will inevitably lead to the risk of environmental contamination from newly generated waste.

A responsible waste policy requires courage and integrity on the part of local governments. The community deserves an honest debate based on scientific and technological knowledge. Hazardous waste incinerators offer both ecological and economic benefits. Not only do they help reduce the costs of transporting waste over long distances, but they also provide the opportunity to produce energy from waste—an inexhaustible source of energy.

Strengthening local ecological security will be crucial for improving the image of the commune as a leader in modern and responsible environmental policy.

Understanding the role of hazardous waste incinerators is the first step towards a conscious and responsible approach to a problem that affects us all. Such installations, operating according to rigorous standards, pose no threat. On the contrary, they provide real support for health, the environment, and the local economy.

That's why it's so important that local communities don't reject these investments outright, but have access to reliable information, be able to ask questions, and participate in dialogue. Incinerators are more than just technology—they offer a chance for a safer future, new jobs, and a real contribution to the region's sustainable development. They're worth supporting—wisely, responsibly, and with future generations in mind.