Stone Container
The largest remaining source of PVC incineration in Montana is the Smurfit-Stone Container mill in Missoula, MT. Stone Container has a permit to burn 15 tons of plastic rejects every day. Approximately 5% of this waste is estimated to be PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic.
Incineration of PVC is particularly hazardous and completely unnecessary. Polyvinyl chloride, commonly known as "PVC" or "vinyl," is a synthetic material commonly found in pipes, household siding, flooring, windows, shower curtains, and many other plastic items, including many childrens' toys.
Although relatively inert as part of these products, the incineration of PVC plastic generates and disseminates hazardous air pollutants, including dioxin and heavy metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium. All of these pollutants are persistent and bioaccumulative. Once released and dispersed, they last decades or even centuries, and even small amounts can have a lasting effect on our health.
WVE is continuing its campaign to encourage Stone to cease plastic burning at the mill.
WVE in the Washington Post