Charm City? More like Harm City!
Learn about the ins and outs of waste management in Baltimore City, starting with its largest air polluter, WIN Waste Baltimore, aka BRESCO.
Looming Large for Decades
Since 1985, a facility that has been seen as a kind of monument welcoming folks to Baltimore is more than meets the eye. WIN Waste Baltimore (formerly known as Wheelabrator Baltimore and Baltimore Resource Refuse Systems Company (BRESCO)) is the largest stationary polluter in Baltimore.
How Toxic?
WIN Waste accounts for 33% of toxic air emissions from stationary sources (EPA National Emissions Inventory 2020) (EPA NEI). This includes nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), lead, mercury, dioxins, formaldehyde and more. These harmful emissions can impact lung and heart health, cause nervous system damage in children, and increase the risk of breast cancer, among others.
It’s Gettin’ Hot in Herre
The incinerator is also a massive contributor to our city’s climate pollution. While WIN Waste contributes just 13% of methane emissions from stationary sources, it’s responsible for a whopping 48% of carbon dioxide emissions (EPA NEI).
But how bad is it really?
Aren’t cars and trucks worse than the incinerator?
Less, comparable, and worse
Depending on the pollutant, WIN Waste is less dirty, just as dirty, or even dirtier for our air. Cars emit lots of carbon monoxide (CO), so it doesn’t take that many to equal the amount emitted from the incinerator – about 540 cars. But looking at NOx emissions, it would take ~126,000 cars driving ~11,500 miles in a year to equal the amount released by WIN Waste. It would take ~146,000 cars to equal its carbon dioxide emissions. Particulate matter? Try ~520,000 cars. However, sulfur dioxide comparisons stick out by far. Cars emit much smaller amounts of SO2 than CO, so it takes even more of them to equal the incinerator. So just how many? About 1.8 million. We used EPA National Emissions Inventory data to help make these comparisons.
We need to shut it down for good
Organizations, individuals, and legislators have advocated for its closure. In 2019, the Baltimore Clean Air Act was passed, which required WIN Waste to be more accountable for its pollution – or shut down. Unfortunately, a pro-business judge sided with WIN Waste over the city regarding its authority to have stricter air standards than the state – something the Clean Air Act clearly supports. Nevertheless, the fight continues!