Reworld, the owner of the Chester trash incinerator, spent $45,000 on lobbying to keep Philadelphia trash flowing to the city, writes Sophia Schmidt for WHYY.
The Philadelphia City Council is considering a bill banning the city from contracting with Reworld to have its trash burned in Chester.
Reworld increased its spending on lobbying Philadelphia City Council members and Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration last year when the bill was being considered by City Council.
The sponsor of the bill pulled it back last minute from a January vote when it seemed to lack support.
“It really looks like it puts communities or everyday folks at a disadvantage,” said Zulene Mayfield, chairperson of Chester Residents Concerned for Quality Living.
Mayfield believes pollution from Reworld’s operation increases asthma and other health problems for Chester’s residents and opposes what she sees as environmental racism. Chester is a majority Black city.
Philadelphia incinerates 40 percent of its trash, most of it at Reworld’s Chester facility.
Reworld’s seven-year contract with Philadelphia expires this summer.
Reworld has said that up to 120 jobs were threatened if the contract isn’t renewed, and that it continually monitors emissions and operates below federal pollution limits.
Read more about efforts to support or dissuade burning Philadelphia trash in Chester at WHYY.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on DELCO Today in March 2026.
