On January 28, the Clean Seas Coalition and California Latino Capitol Association Foundation co-hosted a powerful evening at the Crest Theatre in Sacramento, by screening Burning Injustice and coming together in community to celebrate the long-fought victory of closing California’s last incinerator!
This was a chance to reflect on a major win and to inspire other communities across California to push for a zero-waste future and other equitable solutions.
Passing AB 1857 (C. Garcia) was a priority campaign for Surfrider in 2022, which eliminated the diversion credit for municipal solid waste incinerators and redefined incineration as disposal. Burning trash is energy-intensive, creates harmful pollution, and is the opposite of reducing our waste or recycling. Rather, it creates a barrier to moving towards a zero-waste future.
The passage of AB 1857, created a pathway to close down the last two remaining waste incinerators in Long Beach and Stanislaus County and helped move our state towards creating more just and equitable zero-waste communities.
Thanks to all the grassroots activists and organizations who helped pass this law!
Burning Injustice follows John Mataka and Bianca Lopez of Valley Improvement Projects, Modesto Latino activists exposing the devastating health and environmental consequences of incineration on frontline communities.
Following the film, (Former Assemblymember Cristina Garcia and author of AB 1857) moderated a thought-provoking panel featuring:
- John Mataka & Bianca Lopez (Valley Improvement Projects) – Environmental justice advocates working to eliminate toxic incineration.
- Andrea Luna (East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice) – Organizer focused on policy-driven solutions to prevent waste exposure in frontline communities.
- Sam Pearse (Co-Producer, Burning Injustice) – Filmmaker amplifying community-led environmental justice movements.
- Denaya Shorter (Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives) – Policy expert on zero-waste solutions and incineration bans to prevent toxic pollution.
Surfrider has been involved with the Clean Seas Coalition since its inception over a decade ago and has had the honor of co-chairing the statewide coalition for the past few years. We look forward to the continued work ahead in preventing plastic pollution through effective policy.
Photo credit: Nune Garipian