December 1st, 2025 by WCBC Radio

West Virginia is considering a permit for a plastics recycling facility near Wheeling, but a new report shows the economic impacts from the project are slim, and the potential for harming human health is high.  Pyrolysis is a system that uses heat to convert plastics into other materials.  Natural Resources Defense Council spokesperson Vena Singla says these facilities emit cancer-causing chemicals…

 

“Storing and shredding plastic waste can release VOCs, particulate matter, microplastics, as well as present fire risks. Plastics are quite flammable, and we've seen a number of fires at other similar facilities."