Covanta Publishes Second Sustainability Report
Morristown, New Jersey based waste to energy developer, Covanta Energy's (NYSE: CVA) has published its second sustainability report as its 'Clean World Initiative' (CWI) enters its fifth year. The company said that the report outlines its sustainability policies, performance goals and progress in key focus areas. According to Covanta CWI - its sustainability program - brings sustainability to every facet of its business, including facility operations, research and development, the advancement of solid waste management and community partnerships and programs. Over the course of the CWI's five years the company said it has achieved some key milestones: Maintaining boiler availability to ensure its waste to energy plants are amoung the most reliable sources of energy in the world Cutting facility emissions Enhancing metals recycling with new technology Launchins a new gasification technology called CLEERGAS? Implementing a world-class safety program with the majority of facilities achieving VPP Star status Developing community outreach programs, policies and partnerships including the Rx4Safety program to safely dispose of unwanted prescription drugs. Future focus Covanta said that looking forward its CWI will continue to focus on the following areas: Reliability and Emissions Reduction - The company claimed that it has maintained world-class reliability, with one of the highest boiler availability rates in the power-generating industry. The report also said that it has cut dioxin, mercury and hydrogen chloride emissions in half over the past five years, and that when aggregating 'all' emissions, Covanta's emissions are 65% below the Environmental Protection Agency's requirements. Research and Development - As part of its commitment to providing environmentally sound waste to energy solutions, the company said that it has developed new cost-effective technologies to control nitrogen oxide emissions. According to the report these patent-pending technologies are now operating or being installed at many Covanta facilities, with more to come in the future. In addition, the company pointed to its CLEERGAS? Waste gasification system in 2012. Advancing Sustainable Waste Management - The company said that it remains an integral part of the zero-landfill solution and has expanded its range of services to help companies meet zero-landfill goals, including its recycling programs that help reduce natural resource use, energy needs, greenhouse gas emissions and secondary solid waste and waste water discharges. The report added that the company has also recently commenced operation on a 'first-of-kind' metal recycling system that is specially designed to recover small particles of non-ferrous metal, and currently recovers around 400,000 tons (363,000 tonnes) of metal for recycling annually. Community Focus - According to the report the company has implemented a range of programs that touch local communities, such as its new Community Outreach and Environmental Justice Policy that encourages ongoing, open and frank dialogues with communities about sensitive issues. Partnerships - Covanta said that strategic partnerships with governments and NGOs are another cornerstone of the Clean World Initiative. For example, the company highlighted its Fishing for Energy program, developed in collaboration with the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Marine Debris Program, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Schnitzer Steel, aims to reduce the amount of fishing gear and marine debris that inadvertently ends up in U.S. coastal waters by providing free gear collection at ports near operating communities. The company said that to date more than 1 million pounds (907 tonnes) of derelict or unwanted fishing gear has been collected. Read More Germany to Boost Waste to Biofuel Production in Ukraine Jan 2, 2013 Germany is to assist Ukraine establish domestic biofuel production capacity through the course of this year, according to the Ministry of Agrarian... International Waste to Energy Proposals Under Consideration in Dubai Dec 18, 2012 Dubai Municipality, which is responsible for managing the Emirate's waste, is looking into new ways to convert unrecyclable residual waste into ene... 150,000 TPA Plasma Arc Gasification Waste to Energy Plant for Ottawa Dec 18, 2012 Ottawa, Ontario based Plasco Energy has signed an agreement with the City of Ottawa to build a 150,000 tonnes per year plasma arc gasification wast...