A Special Mapo-Gu Panel by Dr. Paul Connett
On November 5th, 2024, Dr. Paul Connett visited Mapo-Gu, Seoul. His forum was centered against incineration, an imminent issue for many Sangam-dong, Mapo-Gu residents. As a retired environmental and chemistry professor from Saint Laurens College, he is one of the world's most prominent water fluoridation critics. After traveling to 65 countries for presentations, he arrived in Sangam-dong at a request from the anti-incineration protest organizations.
Image Source: Mapo Press Team
Dr. Connett stated that incineration is an “obsolete method for waste disposal”. The release of fly and bottom ash does not provide a more sustainable solution. Moreover, incinerators produce very few job opportunities.
The Science of Incinerators
Thus, it’s “nonsense that incinerators should replace landfills. We build ash landfills instead of landfills”, Dr. Connett argues. Tapping into his chemistry professor background, he explained that incinerators expel chlorinated dioxins and furans, brominated (PBBs and PBDE), and fluorinated (PFOs, PFAS), “the forever chemicals which persist in our environment”.
However, the greater issue in incineration is the non-regulated nanoparticles. These have greater surface area, which leads to high chances of pollution.
Image Source: Mapo Press Team
Citizens aren’t protected from modern incinerators in nanoparticles. Seoul’s government does not monitor nanoparticles, which pierce deep into our lung membranes. Furthermore, nanoparticles heighten the risks of brain cancer shown in Montreal. Nanoparticles also perpetrate memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease in teenagers, according to a study in Mexico City. To the citizens of an area with incinerators, Dr. Connett encouraged individuals to ask their government to monitor nanoparticles.
In the 20th century, the question grasping world leaders was this: “How do we get rid of waste efficiently and safely?”. However, in the 21st century, our key question must revolve around sustainability. In recent years, we’ve been asking the wrong question about sustainability. Dr. Connett emphasized that the question we must consider now is, "How do we handle discarded resource management in ways we don’t deprive future generations?” How can we behave without robbing our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren?
A Case for a Circular Economy
Instead of a linear economy, Dr. Connett stated that we must move into a circular economy. Incineration answers the wrong question of how we get rid of waste. However, we must answer the right question of not creating waste. Incineration traps us in a linear economy. Beyond local impacts, the greater tragedy of incineration is the failure to reduce the impact of the linear economy.
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Incineration is sometimes praised as a solution of “waste to energy”. However, Dr. Connett states that incineration is a “waste of energy”. He emphasizes the importance of reusing, composting, and recycling to save energy in the next cycle. Zero waste is ultimately the stepping stone towards a circular economy. How does this work? “Sorting waste is a trampoline into recycling,” says Dr. Connett. Korea is a leader in the cleaning and sorting of biodegradable materials to produce new products. Dr. Connett proudly pointed to his entire outfit, stating that they were all second-hand— a prime example of reusing.
The waste issue won’t become better through improved machines; it can only be done by creating efficient organization, education, and industrial designs. “If we can’t reuse it, recycle it, or compost it, the industry shouldn’t be making it!” Dr. Connett pressed. Ultimately, enhancing our economy and technological design will shine the most tangible path toward zero waste. Participating in questionnaires and interviews as our Sangam-dong, I was personally privileged to attend Dr. Connett’s forum. Learning about the economic and scientific aspects of the incineration protests I’ve long been a part of, I hope this interdisciplinary approach could finally reveal to governments that incineration cannot be a solution.