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Air Alliance Houston urges council review of chemical‑recycling MOU, cites health risks to overburdened communities
Summary
Jennifer Hedaya of Air Alliance Houston told council the 2022 Houston Recycling Collaboration MOU supports advanced/chemical recycling partnerships that the group says can emit known carcinogens and are located in overburdened communities; she asked the council to reevaluate the MOU in public.
Jennifer Hedaya, executive director of Air Alliance Houston, urged Houston’s City Council to reevaluate an existing 2022 memorandum of understanding known as the Houston Recycling Collaboration, saying it includes partnerships that support so‑called chemical or advanced recycling.
Hedaya told council chemical recycling technology is a known source of air pollutants linked to cancer and that new chemical recycling facilities supported by the MOU are sited in communities already overburdened by poor air quality. She said the MOU was not vetted publicly and asked the council to place the agreement and related plastics program before the council for review.
"I am very well aware that we have a plastic waste and landfill crisis in Houston, but I assure you that chemical recycling is not the solution," Hedaya said. She offered Air Alliance Houston's assistance in reviewing data and alternatives.
No council action was taken on the MOU during public comment; Hedaya asked for a reevaluation and said community members should be informed about facilities that could affect local air quality.
