Incineration Plants: Do They Pollute Our Cities?

In the city-building game Cities: Skylines, incineration plants are used to dispose of garbage by burning trash and converting it into electricity. While incineration plants are an effective way to process garbage, they do produce ground pollution and noise pollution, which can negatively impact nearby residential areas and cause sickness in citizens. Players must carefully manage the location and number of incineration plants to balance garbage disposal and pollution levels. Trees can help reduce pollution, and higher-level buildings tend to produce less pollution. Educated citizens also generate less garbage, so implementing education policies can help reduce overall garbage creation in the city.

Incineration plants produce as much ground pollution as landfills

In the video game Cities: Skylines, incineration plants produce as much ground pollution as landfills (100), as well as noise pollution (50). This pollution can lower land value and make citizens sick. Therefore, it is recommended to keep incineration plants away from residential areas.

In reality, the environmental impacts of incineration plants and landfills are more complex. Incineration plants burn waste to generate energy, reducing the volume of waste and producing electricity. This process can reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to landfills, as it produces less methane. Incineration also prevents the creation of leachate, a toxic slurry that can contaminate groundwater. However, incineration releases air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, dioxins, heavy metals, and mercury, which have been linked to an increased risk of cancer. It also emits carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change.

On the other hand, landfills are cheaper to construct and operate than incineration facilities. However, they affect groundwater, air, and soil quality. They release methane gas and toxins that can reach drinking water, rendering areas unusable.

Some countries, like Switzerland, have moved towards incineration due to its perceived environmental benefits. However, others continue to use landfills due to their lower cost and the challenges associated with incineration, such as the release of air pollutants and the energy required to operate incineration facilities.

They also produce noise pollution

Incineration plants produce noise pollution, which can have a significant impact on the health and well-being of nearby residents. This noise pollution can be described as a "continuous roar," similar to jet planes revving up for takeoff or an "aircraft carrier during operations." The World Health Organization has identified seven health hazards associated with noise pollution from industrial facilities, including hearing impairment, sleep disturbances, mental health issues, cardiovascular problems, interference with spoken communication, impaired task performance, and negative social behaviour.

The impact of noise pollution from incineration plants can be severe, with residents near the Gainesville Renewable Energy Center (GREC) in the U.S. reporting that they have to wear hearing protection or consider moving to a new community to escape the noise. Similar complaints have been made by residents near the McNeil Generating Station in Burlington, Vermont, who have reported "disturbing noise and vibrations" from the incinerator.

In the context of the video game Cities: Skylines, the incineration plant is known to produce noise pollution within a small radius. This can significantly lower land value and potentially make citizens sick. Players are advised to keep the incineration plant away from residential areas to minimize the impact of noise pollution on their virtual cities.

Noise pollution from incineration plants can also be accompanied by other forms of pollution, such as air pollution, wood dust, increased vehicle traffic, and litter. These additional pollutants can further exacerbate the negative impacts on the surrounding communities.

To mitigate the effects of noise pollution from incineration plants, some strategies can include the use of noise barriers, implementing quiet hours, regular maintenance of equipment to ensure optimal functioning, and providing education to nearby residents on the potential impacts and ways to protect themselves.

This pollution can cause sickness in citizens

In the video game Cities: Skylines, incineration plants produce as much ground pollution as landfills (a rating of 100), as well as noise pollution (a rating of 50). This pollution can lower land value and make citizens sick.

In the real world, waste incineration is known to create and release harmful chemicals and pollutants, including air pollutants, heavy metals, and toxic chemicals. These pollutants can cause a range of adverse health effects in humans. For example, particulate matter can cause lung and heart disease, heavy metals such as lead and mercury can cause neurological diseases, and toxic chemicals such as PFAS and dioxins can cause cancer and birth defects.

The impact of incineration plants on public health is a complex issue. While incineration plants produce pollution, the health risks they pose to the local community are generally considered small, especially for well-run modern incinerators. However, older or poorly run facilities may pose a greater risk. Additionally, certain individuals, such as young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised people, may be more susceptible to the health effects of incinerator emissions.

The assessment of health risks associated with incineration plants can be challenging due to various factors. These include the latency of onset of symptoms, which can take decades to appear, and the presence of other polluting sources in the area. Epidemiological studies on the health effects of incinerator emissions are limited, and it can be difficult to establish a direct causal relationship between incinerator exposure and specific health outcomes. However, available studies suggest that proximity to waste incineration may increase the risk of adverse health impacts, with low-income and minority communities often bearing the brunt of this toxic burden.

To mitigate the pollution and potential health risks associated with incineration plants, some incinerator proponents have installed expensive pollution filters and scrubbers, collectively known as Air Pollution Control (APC). While these filters can capture a significant portion of pollutants, they are not perfect, and significant air pollution can still escape during plant failures or emergencies.

Trees can reduce pollution

Incineration plants in Cities: Skylines produce as much ground pollution as landfills, as well as noise pollution. They burn trash and produce electricity, but they lower land value and can make citizens sick.

According to a 2014 report, London's trees provided at least £133 million worth of benefits annually in terms of air pollution removal, carbon sequestration, and reducing drainage issues. A study by The Nature Conservancy found that the average reduction of particulate matter near a tree was between 7% and 24%, with a cooling effect of up to 2°C. Planting trees is a cost-effective way to tackle urban air pollution, which is a growing concern for many cities.

However, it is important to note that trees can also restrict airflow and trap polluted air at ground level if not carefully placed. City planners need to consider how trees are positioned to reliably improve air quality. Nonetheless, trees provide numerous benefits, such as improving air quality, reducing energy consumption, and positively impacting human health and ecosystems.

Educated citizens generate less garbage

Incineration plants in Cities: Skylines produce as much ground pollution as landfills (a pollution score of 100) and also produce noise pollution (50). This can lower land value and make citizens sick, so it is recommended to keep incineration plants away from residential areas. However, incineration plants process garbage and convert it into electricity, whereas landfills simply store it.

Now, onto the topic of educated citizens and their waste generation habits. In the game Cities: Skylines, there is a tip that states that "Educated citizens generate less garbage than uneducated citizens". While some players dispute this, others agree, citing examples from real life where education and social class seem to be linked to waste generation. For instance, people with higher incomes tend to buy fresh produce with less packaging, and those with higher levels of education may be more likely to recycle.

In real-world examples, education has proven to be an effective tool in changing attitudes about waste disposal and social and environmental issues. A trial in Hong Kong educated tenants in a private residential building on waste separation and recycling, resulting in a 30% reduction in waste disposal. Similarly, a food waste recycling trial in public housing showed that tenants could be motivated to reduce waste through education and convenient recycling facilities, rather than solely through regulations.

While education may not be the sole factor determining waste output, it can contribute to a person's awareness and understanding of environmental issues, empowering them to make more eco-friendly choices and generate less waste.

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