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Summary

From 1991 to 1993, residents of East Liverpool, Ohio, organized by the Tri-State Environmental Council and supported by Greenpeace, campaigned to shut down the Waste Technologies Industries (WTI) incinerator. Despite large protests, civil disobedience, and national attention, the incinerator continued operating and received a final permit in 1997. However, the campaign contributed to a broader EPA moratorium on new incinerator permits and the withdrawal of other proposed incinerators.

Background

In 1977, Waste Technologies Industries proposed building a hazardous waste incinerator in the floodplain of the Ohio River in East Liverpool, Ohio. By 1990, the company had obtained enough permits to begin construction and test runs, despite the facility being located within an impoverished neighborhood, about 300 feet from homes and 1,100 feet from an elementary school. The Tri-State Environmental Council formed in January 1991 to oppose the incinerator, aiming to shut it down and halt operations until health tests could ensure safety [source: nv-database].

What happened

In June 1991, the Tri-State Environmental Council held a ‘Hands Across the River’ rally attended by over 1,500 people. [source: nv-database] Actor Martin Sheen joined to bring national attention, and Greenpeace helped organize a two-week statewide anti-incineration march to Columbus ending at the State House steps [source: nv-database]. On September 23, 1991, citizens boycotted a joint U.S. [source: nv-database] EPA/Ohio EPA public information meeting, and the next day held a ‘funeral for democracy’ before blocking an EPA hearing [source: nv-database]. On October 13, 1991, 1,500 people rallied outside WTI, resulting in 32 arrests for crossing the fence [source: nv-database]. The campaign then targeted Governor George Voinovich, posting ‘Wanted’ signs and ‘For Sale’ signs at his mansion, and sending hot dogs to mock him as a ‘weenie on waste’ [source: nv-database]. In response, Voinovich proposed a health study on East Liverpool children, but activists considered it inadequate and sent children with mice to his office [source: nv-database]. In July 1992, Bill Clinton and Al Gore, during their presidential campaign, promised to make the WTI incinerator an issue of their administration [source: nv-database]. In November 1992, activists blocked the WTI gates; over five days, 38 were arrested, and on November 22, 500 people rallied, leading to 75 more arrests [source: nv-database]. On December 15, 1992, citizens delivered petitions with 20,000 signatures to then-Governor Clinton in Little Rock, but he did not reply [source: nv-database]. In 1993, Greenpeace organized a ‘Pinocchio’ bus tour to Washington, D.C., highlighting Clinton’s broken promise, and built a mock incinerator releasing fake emissions in front of the White House, resulting in 54 arrests [source: nv-database]. After May 1993, the campaign lost momentum, with only small rallies held through December [source: nv-database]. The WTI incinerator continued operating and in February 1997 received a final hazardous waste permit from the Ohio EPA [source: nv-database]. However, Greenpeace’s continued pressure led to many other proposed incinerators being voluntarily withdrawn and the EPA issuing a moratorium on new incinerator permits, with WTI as a special exemption [source: nv-database].

Key people & organizations

  • Terri Swearingen
  • Tri-State Environmental Council
  • Greenpeace
  • Martin Sheen
  • Bill Clinton
  • Al Gore
  • Waste Technologies Industries, Inc.
  • Citizens for Progress
  • Ohio Governor George Voinovich

Tactics used

The campaign combined mass rallies, civil disobedience (blocking gates, occupying offices), and creative symbolic actions (mock funerals, hot dog stunts) to maintain media attention and pressure officials at local, state, and national levels. These tactics escalated from local protests to national political engagement, leveraging election-year dynamics and celebrity support. [source: nv-database]

Outcome

Verdict: partial.

The campaign did not achieve its primary goal of shutting down the WTI incinerator, which received a final permit in 1997. However, it achieved partial success: the EPA imposed a moratorium on new incinerator permits, and many other proposed incinerators were withdrawn, partly due to Greenpeace’s ongoing work [source: nv-database].

Lessons

  • Creative, humorous tactics (like sending hot dogs or posting ‘for sale’ signs) can keep a campaign in the public eye and pressure officials.
  • Linking local environmental justice issues to national political campaigns (e.g., presidential elections) can amplify demands.
  • Sustained pressure from a coalition of local groups and national organizations (like Greenpeace) can influence regulatory policy even if the immediate local goal is not achieved.

Sources

Disclaimer: Included as a teaching example of campaign craft, not as endorsement.

Sources & verification

  • nv-database — grounding: primary — license: link-only
  • Rewritten: 2026-06-25 via worker_casestudies_v2.py

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