Incineration

Seventeen percent of the waste in the European Union is incinerated. Although this method of waste treatment is rather progressive (most of the hazardous components are transformed into less dangerous substances, combined with volume reduction), there are harmful side effects:

• Sulphur and nitrogen oxides, hydrogen chloride, dioxins, heavy metals and other materials are released into the air.

• There is a real danger of groundwater pollution.

• The ash generated must be buried deeply to avoid contamination.