Wheelabrator/WinWaste Incinerator

​WinWaste, formerly known as Wheelabrator is a Title V incinerator located on River Street in Hudson Falls, NY.  In their attempt to renew and modify their expired Title V air permit, it was required that they design a Public Participation Plan, engaging residents affected by the facility.  Many issue arose with this plan which were presented to the DEC and a decision was made for WinWaste to redo their Public Participation meeting in person before their application can be deemed complete.

At this time we are gathering support and resources to inform the public about the facility and help them formulate questions that might be important to them.  Below you will find facts and questions that can all be verified through independent parties which are posted on this website.  

Numbers to Call

Report Concerning Emissions:
Business Hours.....518-623-1200 
After Hours............800-457-7362

General Emission Questions:
Rachel Savve........518-623-1715

Questions and Concerns:  
Beth Magee............518-623-1283

Current Events

All the information you need to make an informed decision regarding Wheelabrators current air permit submission.

Research and Data

Explore summaries of research and data collected by our team to give you the most accurate and current information available. 

Getting Involved

Find out ways you can help Hudson Falls fight for its right to clean air and water.
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Getting Started

Begin your exploration by understanding the most recent information available regarding air emission, as well as type, amount and location of solid wasted.

The information can be found on DEC info locator can be used to access current emissions by selecting: Title V Air Facilities and searching Hudson Falls.  If you are looking for more detailed information, it is not available at this time but will be updated soon! ​gisservices.dec.ny.gov/gis/dil/

Annual Report 2022

Current Air Permit

Permit Review Report

Export CSV Emissions Data

IMPORTANT stats from 2022 (most recent data)

• 2,060.77 tons of Industrial Waste was received from outside of Washington County 
• 1,914.40 tons of Industrial Waste was received from outside of New York State (including Canada)

Mixed municipal waste incineration produces a variety of emissions, including: 

• Climate-relevant emissions: Carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and ammonia (NH3). CO2 is the main climate-relevant emission, and is at least 102 times higher than other emissions. 
• Hazardous air pollutants: Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide, acid gases, and dioxins. Dioxins are cancer-causing. 
• Heavy metals: Lead and mercury, which can cause neurological diseases. 
• Toxic chemicals: PFAS, which can cause cancer and other health problems (read more here --> Emissions from Waste Incineration)

Pharmaceutical waste incineration can produce a variety of pollutants, including:

• Particulate matter- Can include heavy metals, acids, and trace organics. The amount of particulate matter emitted depends on the type of incinerator, the waste composition, and the operating practices. 
• Gaseous pollutants- These include carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrogen chloride. 
• Dioxins and furans- These are human carcinogens that can be generated when incinerating materials treated with or containing chlorine. 
• Toxic metals- Can be released into the environment when incinerating heavy metals or materials with high metal content (read more here --> medical waste incinerations). 

Tire incineration releases a variety of toxic pollutants into the air, including: 

• Gases: Carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter (PM)
• Chemicals: Benzene, styrene, phenols, and butadiene
• Metals: A variety of metals (Read more here -->USEPA)

Sewage Sludge incineration emit significant quantities of pollutants including:

• particulate matter,
• metals,
• carbon monoxide(CO),
• nitrogen oxides (NOx),
• sulfur dioxide (SO2), and
• unburned hydrocarbons  (Read more here --> Sewage Sludge Incineration)

Emissions from Ash MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) energy recovery

• Major pollutants:
  Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the primary greenhouse gas emitted, while other gases like nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) are also significant contributors to air pollution. 
• Particulate matter:
  Fine particles (PM2.5) can be emitted, which can pose health risks when inhaled. 
• Heavy metals:
  Depending on the composition of the waste, heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium can be released into the atmosphere if not properly captured. 
• Dioxins and furans:
  These highly toxic organic compounds are a major concern related to waste incineration and are strictly regulated due to their potential health impacts. 

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