Stop Trashing Our Air: Policy Update

Philly burns 180,000 tons of trash each year, primarily in the nation’s largest trash incinerator, in nearby Chester City – a famous case of environmental racism. Philly is surrounded by five trash incinerators, the worst cluster in the nation, and all of them are among the region’s top seven industrial air polluters, contributing to Philly’s rank as the nation’s 4 th worst asthma capital and our #2 rank in cancer incidence among the ten largest cities.

Mike Ewall at Energy Justice Network wrote the Stop Trashing Our Air Act, a bill introduced by Council member Jamie Gauthier to prohibit the city from signing contracts to burn our trash, recyclables or compostables. The city’s 7-year contracts for trash and recycling expire on June 30th, and new contracts will determine where Philly’s trash goes for the next several years. The bill passed City Council’s Environment Committee in November, with a strong 5-1 vote, and was on the brink of passage at the January 22nd , 2026 city council meeting. Gauthier pulled it from a vote after hearing from fellow council members who needed more time.

Mayor Parker’s administration has lobbied hard against this bill, with her Sanitation Commissioner calling council members to urge them to vote it down. Public testimony at November’s hearing and January’s city council meeting were strongly in favor, with many Philly residents and some Chester City residents – including Chester’s mayor and health commissioner – testifying passionately in support of the bill.

Council member Gauthier is determined to bring the bill back for a vote, and we need your support to help overcome pressure from the mayor and the incinerator company, Reworld. Calls to Council members Phillips, Jones, Harrity, Lozada, Squilla, Young, and Johnson are helpful. Learn more about the bill at phillyzerowaste.org and please send a message to all city council members through the action alert at phillyzerowaste.org/action.