Wheelabrator Waste Incinerator

Wheelabrator is a Title V incinerator located on River Street in Hudson Falls, NY.  Their current air and solid waste permits allow them to burn not only municipal waste, but has expanded to other biosolids, such as sewage sludge, and industrial waste (see Annual Report 2022). 

Their annual emissions classify this facility as the worst polluting incinerator in the country, largely due to their processing of materials other than just municipal waste and their outdated infrastructure.  The life span of 25 years has not been exceeded and they are currently attempting to obtain a new air permit that would allow them to operate for the next 10 years. Hands off the Hudson is dedicated to providing you with researched backed information about Wheelabrators history and current issues affecting residents of Hudson Falls and surrounding villages and townships. 

Here is some of the information available to the public at this time and some ways you can get involved in the discussion.

Numbers to Call

Report ALL concerning Air Emissions:           518-623-1200

• Smells (acrid/chemical)
• Irritation (eyes/nose/throat)
• Emission Color (grey/color)
• Sounds (screeching/blasts)

 
After Hours:         800-457-7362

General Emission Questions:
Rachel Savve       518-623-1715

EVERY Question, Comment, and Concern:  
Beth Magee          518-623-1283


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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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