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BSS,
Dhaka, Bangladesh.
2 national dailies of Bangladesh (the Daily
Star and the Financial Express) published our
protest against incineration (see article below).
We also distributed anti- incineration related
facts and figures to a number of our partners.
A disturbing news on `waste to power' was also
published in Daily Star, which mentions that
very soon ADB is going to support this energy
project in Bangladesh.
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Kovalam,
India. 17 June 2002.
In India, public activity took place in Delhi,
Thiruvananthapuram and Gujarat, led by civil
society under GAIA (the Global Alliance for
Incinerator Alternatives). In Kovalam near Thiruvananthapuram,
a community victorious in their against thelocal
incinerator decided to fight it out to the end.
Working towards a time-bound programme to implement
“Zero Waste Kovalam”, its long-term
‘waste’ elimination plan, with the
support of environmental organizations -- Thanal
and Greenpeace, they launched a massive bamboo
planting exercise to increase the amount of
bio-mass available for generating alternatives
to plastics produced by the self-help groups
in the region.
Full
Story...
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Tokyo,
Japan. 17 2002.
About 20 Members from various NGOs gathered in
the business center of Tokyo. Standing in front
of the building of the most famous incinerator
exporter in Japan called Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
and distributing handbills explaining the dirtiness
of incinerators, the members showed the banner
"Incineration is not the solution!"
After the peaceful protest in the busiest time
in the morning, the members had a meeting with
Mr. Noso, Manager in Planning Group of the Machinery
Administration Department, and 4 other people
from Mitsubishi.
Mr. Kimura, Executive director of Greenpeace
Japan, and Ms. Sato, Representative
of Stop Dioxin Pollution
Kanto Network, delivered the petition
which was signed by 89 regional and national NGOs
from 16 countries in Asia demanding no exportation
of Japanese dirty technology.
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The
members walked to the building of NKK, which
is also a big exporter of incinerators to other
countries in Asia. The members had a meeting
with Mr. Hayashi, the manager of the Environmental
Enginering, but the members were not able to
ask questions on the table, which they also
strongly protested about. One of the members
joining this meeting said, " I am so
sad, and almost started crying. These people
are the one who are responsible selling the
incineration in Japan and also in other countries,
but they are not even willing to communicate
with citizens who are not only paying so much
tax money but also harmed by their incinerators.
I understand how this company is doing the business.
Who can believe what they say now on?"
After handing the petitions to NKK and walking
out the building, we set the banner in front
of the building, but the guard took the banner
down although it was a peaceful
protest.
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In
the afternoon, the members of Greenpeace had
a meeting with Mr.Marukawa, Nippon Steel Corporation.
They have never exported their incinerator to
other countries, but the company says, "if
there is a demand, we will consider. And actually
we do get some people calling us for the information
these days." Handing the petition gathered
from Japan and other countries, Greenpeace strongly
suggest Nippon Steel not to promote the dirty
technology and being responsible for their business
and people's health.
Please
contact Junichi
Sato,Toxics Campaigner, Greenpeace Japan
for more information.
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Seoul,
Korea, June 17, 2002.
The Korea Waste Movement Network (KWMN) sponsored
a symposium on 17 June 2002 to discuss the role
and right of residents to monitor the construction
and operation of waste incineration facilities.
Some 30 people, including government officials,
residents and experts participated in the deliberation
on the revision of a 1995 law on waste disposal
and the local community. Participants resolved
to submit a petition to the government recommending
amendments to the said law.
Also on 17 June 2002, the Korea Federation for
Environmental Movement of Masan/Changwon campaigned
in downtown Masan against the construction of
a waste incineration plant in the city.
Please contact Suyol
Hong, Coordinator, Korea Waste Movement
Network for more information. |
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Nepal.
On 17th June Pro Public along with Coalition of
Clean Environment (group of 12 environmental non
governmental organizations) organized interaction
program to celebrate International day action
against incinerator among the participants from
Ministry of Health, Nepal , Media personnels,
Environmental Journalists, Environmental experts
and Public representatives.
A
presentation on IMPORT AND USE OF INCINERATOR
FOR MEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT IN NEPAL was given
by Pro Public. Including the existing situation
of medical waste, its maangement aspects, national
and international obligations, alternatives
of this technology, global movement about banning
of incinerator and finally recommendation to
stop use and importing of such pollution prone
technology.
Please e-mail science@propublic.wlink.com.np
for more information.
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Manila,
Philippines. 17 June 2002.
An NGO delegation composed of environmental
and church groups met with Department of Health
(DOH) officials led by Mr. Antonio Lopez, Undersecretary
for Operations, to submit a petition endorsed
by 170 groups and individuals from the Philippines
and 44 other countries, which calls for the
phase out of existing medical waste incinerators
as required by the Clean Air Act. This petition,
addressed to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,
takes issue with the 26 medical waste incinerators
procured in 1996 as part of an Austrian aid
package. The NGO delegation, which included
representatives from
Balik Kalikasan, Buklod Tao Kalikasan, Caritas
Manila, Greenpeace Southeast Asia, Global Alliance
for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), Health
Care Without Harm (HCWH), Mother Earth Unlimited
and the National Secretariat for Social Action
(NASSA), sought the official position
of the DOH on the incinerator issue. Undersecretary
Lopez clarified that the Department has no option
but to implement the law. However, he explained
that the Department is constrained by the lack
of funds for the installation of alternative
technologies. The NGOs urged the Department
to seek a critical review of the Austrian incinerator
loan and work for its repudiation in the interest
of public health, and use the money intended
for loan repayment in setting up non-burn waste
disposal systems.
Inside
the DOH compound (in front of the Secretary’s
office), artists from the Philippine Educational
Theater Association (PETA), joined by Greenpeace
activists, rendered a “street play.”
Dressed up as pregnant women, the performers
appeared to have emerged from a colorful mural
depicting the dangers posed to present and future
generations by toxic pollutants from waste burners.
The 8 by 12 feet mural carries the message
“Phase Out Medical Waste Incinerators Now.
Stop Toxics.” Wooden clackers,
shaped like skulls in gas masks, were used to
sound the toxics threat and remind health officials
of their task to phase in safe alternatives
to medical waste incineration by 2003.
NOTE:
Please visit www.greenpeacesoutheastasia.org
for more action photos.
Full
Story...
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Photos
: Jimmy Domingo/ Greenpeace
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Other
activities:
14
June:
Greenpeace Southeast Asia released the results
of the test conducted by an independent laboratory
on incinerator ash samples taken from 4 government-run
hospitals, revealing high levels of toxic metals.
15
June:
GAIA and HCWH discussed medical waste and incineration
at “Bangon Kalikasan,” a weekly one-hour
environmental radio program.
17
June:
GAIA and HCWH talked about medical waste and
incineration at “Caritas sa Veritas,”
a weekly one-hour public service radio program
of Caritas Manila, a Catholic charity
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| Thailand.
20 Greenpeace activists are
today protesting outside the On Nut dumpsite as
part of the biggest ever international day of
action against the burning of municipal waste.
Events are taking place in 54 countries around
the world and involve 126 different community
groups. In Bangkok, Greenpeace
Southeast Asia is today challenging
the new elected council members of the Bangkok
Metropolitan Authority (BMA) to stop the proposed
1,350 ton per day incinerator project at On Nut
.
Greenpeace
activists put a 4X6 metre “cancer
factory” billboard and posted
40 other signs with the message “stop
incineration – stop cancer factory”
at the existing On Nut garbage transfer station
– one of the biggest waste disposal sites
in Bangkok Metropolitan Area.
Full
Story...
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New
Zealand.
Greenpeace New Zealand initiated a global day
of action against incineration by shutting down
Waste Resources Limited’s Auckland waste
incinerator in the early hours of this morning.
Three
activists scaled the chimney and placed a cap
on the stack to prevent the incinerator firing
up, before locking themselves to the chimney.
“This
incinerator is poisoning people and the environment
with dioxin, one of the most toxic chemicals
known. Dioxin causes cancer, birth defects,
diabetes and infertility,”(1) said Sue
Connor, Greenpeace Toxics Campaigner.
Full
Story...
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| EVENTS |
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SOUTH
ASIA
Bangladesh.
Waste Concern will
write letters to the editors of national newspapers
and distribute fact sheets on waste and incineration.
(Maqsood Sinha, wastecon@dhaka.agni.com)
India.
The
South Chennai branch of Exnora
International and the Lions Club of Madras
will sponsor a competition entitled “Best
Zero Garbage Initiative 2002”
with technical assistance from the Tamil Nadu
Pollution Control Board; winning entries will
be announced in a public function to mark the
Global Day of Action.
(T. M. Ramkumar, exnora@vsnl.com)
India.
Thanal
Conservation Action and Information Network
and Greenpeace India,
in cooperation with local community groups,
will hold a program to further promote the Zero
Waste project in Kovalam, a beach town in the
southern Indian state of Kerala. Activities
include the inauguration of a Zero Waste resource
center, planting of bamboo trees for watershed
management, kite flying with Zero Waste message
from discarded materials, banner hanging and
people’s clean-up of the beach town. (Jayakumar
C., thanal@vsnl.com,
Manu Gopalan, mgopalan@dialb.greenpeace.org)
India.
The
Environment Protection Committee (PSS) based
in Gujarat will issue a press release on Global
Day of Action. (Michael Mazgaonkar,
pss@narmada.net.in)
Nepal.
The
Forum for the Protection
of Public Interest (Pro Public) in
cooperation with the Coalition for a Clean Environment
will convene an interaction meeting on waste
incineration issues and concerns targeting various
stakeholders. Pro Public has published a 4-page
fact sheet on waste incineration for distribution
to participants and members of the press. (Ram
Charitra Sah, science@propublic.wlink.com.np)
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June
17, 2002,
6PM onwards,
Dilli Haat, New Delhi
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An
evening of music, puppet show, street play and
more ...
The
activity is organized by Srishti,
Toxics Link, Karam Marg, Youth Reach, Care Plus,
Action India and GAIA. Toxics Link
has also launched a petition drive addressed
to Environment and Forests Min. T. R. Balu on
the occasion of the POPs International Day of
Action (23 May 2002) and the Global Day of Action
against Waste Incineration (17 June 2002). Over
40 groups from India and 16 other countries
have signed the petition.
(Madhumita Dutta, tldelhi@vsnl.com)
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| EAST
ASIA |
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| Japan.
Greenpeace
Japan, the People’s Association on Counter
Measures against Dioxin and Endocrine Disruptors,
the Stop Dioxin Pollution Kanto Network and the
Japan POPs Elimination Network
are organizing a forum in Tokyo on waste and incineration.
(Kawana Hideyuki, kawana@blue.ocn.ne.jp)
Japan.
Greenpeace
Japan
will deliver a petition from Asian citizens’
groups to top incinerator makers in Japan, urging
them to stop exporting polluting waste disposal
technology to neighboring nations.
(Junichi Sato, junichi.sato@jp.greenpeace.org)
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Korea.
The
Korea Waste Movement
Network, which brings together 270
member groups, will hold a forum to debate the
partial revision of a waste disposal law in
order to strengthen community participation
in the monitoring and surveillance of all incinerator
plants, to safeguard public health and safety.
The “Promotion of Waste Treatment Facilities
and Local Community Act,” passed in 1995
to cope with the public opposition against the
construction of incineration plants, created
the “Resident Support Fund” and the
“Council for Resident Support,” but
only for residents living within 300 meters
of incinerator plants. (Suyong Hol, waterheat@hanmail.net)
Taiwan.
The
Taiwan Watch Institute,
Green Formosa Front and the Green Citizens’
Action Alliance have embarked on
a national signature campaign to block government
funding of waste incinerators. This will culminate
with a press conference on 17 June 2002 to urge
the government to reject incineration and shift
to zero waste and clean production. (Herlin
Hsieh, twwatch@ms31.hinet.net)
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| SOUTHEAST
ASIA |
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Malaysia.
The
Consumers’ Association
of Penang will highlight incineration
issues as well as Zero Waste in the local press.
(Mageswari Sangaralingam, )
Philippines.
The
Cavite Green Coalition,
which is comprised of 19 groups from Cavite
province in the Philippines, is organizing a
public information drive on waste and incineration,
including ecological solid waste management.
The Cavite Greens will hand out leaflets in
selected town centers. (Robert Mina, )
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| Philippines.
Bangon
Kalikasan
will prepare an article on the Global Day of Action
for possible publication on 15 June 2002 at the
Philippine Daily Inquirer, the country’s
number one newspaper. The Global Day of Action
will also be one of the topics for discussion
in the radio program of Bangon Kalikasan, also
on 15 June. (Annette and Joey Papa, |
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Philippines.
Greenpeace
Southeast Asia,
in cooperation with the Philippine
Educational Theater Association and
other groups, will organize a protest “artion”
(art-action) at the Department of Health to
dramatize the toxic threat from medical waste
incinerators. Simultaneous with this, NGO representatives
will meet the Health Secretary to deliver a
petition signed by 138 groups from the Philippines
and 42 other countries, urging the government
to implement the closure of existing medical
waste incinerators by 2003 and cease from proposing
any extension of the phase out period. Caritas
Manila, Greenpeace Southeast Asia/International,
Health Care Without Harm, National Secretariat
for Social Action and the Global Alliance for
Incinerator Alternatives initiated
the petition.
Last
14 June 2002, Greenpeace Southeast Asia/International
released the test results of ash taken from
four Austrian-made medical waste incinerators
in the Philippines. (Francis de la Cruz, fdlcruz@dialb.greenpeace.org)
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Thailand.
Greenpeace
Southeast Asia
will hold a symbolic action on 17 June to denounce
the proposal to set up a huge municipal waste-to-energy
incinerator in Bangkok. With "Stop Cancer
Factory" as their rallying theme, Greenpeace
activists will ask the Bangkok Metropolitan
Authority (BMA) Council to reject the plan to
secure a loan package from an international
funding agency, most probably from the Japan
Bank for International Cooperation, for the
said incinerator project. On 19 June, Greenpeace
will meet with the Advisory Council of the National
Social and Economic Development Board of Thailand
to discuss alternative waste management policy
and implementation, including progressive Zero
Waste stratgegy. (Tara Buakamsri, )
PACIFIC
Guam/USA. The
Recycling Association of Guam will send letters
to the editors of major dailies. (Paul Tobiason,
tobiason@kuentos.guam.net)
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