Grassroots organizer John Mataka had this to say about why a mega-polluting solid waste incinerator was built in his neighborhood: 

“They did this by design. It’s because we’re Latino, we’re Spanish-speaking. It’s because we’re a [low-income] farm working community. It’s because it’s environmental racism.”

John and his organization Valley Improvement Projects feature in our latest short documentary, Burning Injustice. Through vivid, human-centered storytelling, the film shines a light on the multigenerational effort to close Covanta Stanislaus, one of California’s two remaining incinerators, and usher in a just transition for the community – one that invests in a zero waste future.

Will you pitch in today to help share Valley Improvement Project’s alternative vision of a zero waste future with the world?

With your support, we’ll sound the alarm far and wide: incineration is a false solution to plastic that pollutes the environment with toxins, and endangers the health of communities that live near a plant. And, you’ll support the message that communities can fight back against environmental racism, put a stop to dangerous waste burning facilities, and look ahead to a transition into a cleaner, circular, zero waste future.

Your support is crucial to the success of this film. Make a donation today, and receive a link to watch the final cut of Burning Injustice!

We accept donations via Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, or PayPal. At this moment, we welcome check donations but strongly prefer online donations. For donations via check, send a check payable to “The Story of Stuff Project,” to:

The Story of Stuff Project
1442 A Walnut Street, #272
Berkeley, CA 94709 USA

If you have questions that are not answered in our Donation FAQs, please email us at info@storyofstuff.org and we will respond within a few business days.