Across Europe, waste-to-energy incinerators once promoted as greener alternatives to landfills are drawing criticism for emitting pollution, locking in debt and potentially becoming obsolete as recycling targets tighten.
Marianne Gros reports for POLITICO.
In short:
- A major waste-to-energy plant in Spain’s Basque region faces lawsuits and local opposition over alleged violations of EU environmental laws and harmful emissions.
- Hundreds of similar plants operate across Europe, but falling public subsidies and stricter recycling policies leave many struggling to stay financially viable.
- Environmental groups warn that burning mixed waste, especially plastics, releases significant CO₂, and scientists say health risks to nearby residents remain poorly studied.
Key quote:
“The argument that burning waste is better than landfilling oversimplifies a complex issue. Both practices have serious environmental impacts and neither should be seen as a viable long-term solution.”
— Janek Vahk, senior policy officer at Zero Waste Europe
Why this matters:
Trash-to-energy plants are pitched as a bridge between landfills and a circular economy, but their emissions can mirror those of fossil fuel power stations. Plastic in the waste stream releases carbon dioxide and toxic byproducts when burned, affecting air quality and adding to climate pressures. Many facilities now import waste to stay profitable, extending pollution concerns across borders. As Europe tightens recycling mandates and phases out landfill use, these costly plants risk becoming stranded assets — physical reminders of a waste strategy outpaced by policy and public opinion.
Related: Study links incinerator pollution to toxics in breast milk
