Say 'No' to Monster Incinerator for Merthyr

There are plans to build the UK's largest incinerator in Merthyr Tydfil. We believe this would have harmful effects on people's health and the environment.

Merthyr Tydfil already has Europe's largest opencast coal mine. By building a huge incinerator local air quality will only get worse.

The incineration of waste vaporises heavy metals making the particulates emitted even more lethal when inhaled into the lungs.

Numerous studies confirm that a typical incinerator releases a cocktail of known toxic chemicals, including dioxins, lead, cadmium and mercury. Other pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and fine particles are also released into the atmosphere.

There have been several studies showing increased incidences of cancers and heart disease amongst people living near incinerators.

The proposed incinerator does not use the most modern technology. Across Europe, Plasma Gasification plants are being built - and one is proposed in Wales. These are like incinerators, but use electricity to completely break down the rubbish, reducing the emissions to just a fraction of what an incinerator produces.

Why should Merthyr have to accept out-dated technology?

Of course we need to dispose of our waste, but why should Merthyr be the dumping ground of Wales and South West England? We already have Trecatti and Ffos-y-Fran.

We believe that waste solutions should be determined locally. The Welsh Local Government Association and the Welsh Assembly also support councils working together to manage watse - they don't support a big Wales-wide plan.

There are 3 primary schools and 1 high school close to the proposed build site, not to mention more than 1,000 homes.

We are not Nimbys. We just believe that this monster incinerator is outdated and unnecessary.

• Download a blank copy of Amy Kitcher's petition to the Welsh Assembly to print out at home

• Sign the anti-incinerator petition online