West Virginia- Follansbee, West Virginia, could soon be home to one of the few plastics recycling facilities in the nation, but a new report shows the economic impacts are slim and the potential for harming human health is high.
Pyrolysis is a type of process that uses heat to convert plastics into other materials. It is controversial because groups such as the Natural Resources Defense Council argue the process produces toxic fuels and should not be labeled as recycling.
Veena Singla, senior scientist for the council, said the facilities emit cancer-causing chemicals.
“Storing and shredding plastic waste can release VOCs, particulate matter, microplastics, as well as present fire risks,” Singla pointed out. “Plastics are quite flammable, and we’ve seen a number of fires at other similar facilities.”
Neighboring communities would be affected with increased exposure to toxic pollution, odors, and could face reduced home and property values. The company proposing to build the facility, Empire Diversified Energy, said it will be “virtually emissions-free” and has submitted an air quality permit application to the state’s Department of Environmental Protection.
Singla added that research shows pyrolysis facilities produce strong orders and noise pollution, affecting the quality of life.
“I would say there are consistently complaints about odors from other plastics pyrolysis facilities,” Singla noted.
According to the report, in Ohio and Indiana, similar facilities subject to the whim of plastics manufacturing market forces have struggled to become financially viable or filed for bankruptcy. The project is estimated to add less than $28,000 in county-wide tax revenue.
