While PSEG has been widely recognized for its outstanding resource recovery record, we are determined to raise the bar with our environmental waste goals.
Increasing Corporate Recycling
For over a decade, PSEG has achieved an exceptional corporate-wide recycling rate in excess of 90 percent. Beginning in 2009, the recycling goal will also be measured on the scorecards of all PSEG operating companies. This increased focus at the operating company level will help us maintain and improve upon our current recycling levels.
Reducing Hazardous Waste
For many years the corporation has demonstrated continual year-to-year reductions in the total tonnage of hazardous waste shipped from all company locations.
PSEG removed older, mercury-containing thermostats from customers’ homes and replaced them with new mercury-free units. This removed a total of 33 pounds of mercury – one of our goals under the US EPA’s National Partnership for Environmental Priorities Program.
Beginning in 2009, this goal will be tracked and measured as operating company goals. This will provide more visibility and focus on continued hazardous waste recycling and reductions at the facility and operations level. This renewed focus will assist us in meeting unique hazardous waste reduction targets and performance measures established for the respective businesses.
PSEG was recognized in 2008 by the US EPA National Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP) organization for achieving our goals to recycle or reduce two hazardous materials – lead and mercury -- through the use of less-hazardous material substitutes. PSEG recycled:
mercury recovered from street lamps and fluorescent lamps taken out of service, and
lead recovered from surplus computers, laptops and CRT monitors.
PSEG is considering establishing additional NPEP goals for 2009, including replacement of lead wheel weights with non-hazardous material substitutes.
Recycling and Beneficial Reuse
Working with site management and environmental personnel, as well as with our corporate master waste vendor, PSEG continued implementing new “source separation” recycling programs at all operations facilities. We have made significant progress and will continue this effort, one facility at a time, with the goal of full facility implementation by mid-2009.
At our Odessa-Ector Generating Station in Texas, we obtained a “beneficial use” approval from Texas Commission of Environmental Quality. This allows us to divert the plant clarifier filter cake from disposal in a landfill to “beneficial use” as alternate daily landfill cover material.
Sharing our Knowledge
PSEG has been a charter member in the US EPA WasteWise Hall of Fame in recognition of its sustained performance and leadership in achieving remarkable levels of waste prevention and recycling. We remained active as a Hall of Fame member and continued to co-chair the NJ DEP WasteWise program during 2007 and 2008. In addition to presenting waste reduction and recycling “best practices” at national conferences, PSEG hosted public and private business sector working meetings and seminars at our own facilities. PSEG is active in supporting the Association of New Jersey Recyclers (as a board member) as well as the Northeast Recycling Council at various events, workshops and conferences. PSEG is also a member and supporter of the Association of New Jersey Household Hazardous Waste Coordinators.
In June 2009, PSEG participated in NJ DEP’s enforcement seminar series, offering a universal waste and used oil compliance presentation as part of an environmental enforcement seminar open to the regulated community.
In October 2008, PSEG supported the New Jersey Clean Communities Program by participating in the sixth annual “Gateway to a Greater Newark” Clean-Up and Oktoberfest. This team of PSEG employees joined with other organizations and the City of Newark to help clean up gateway areas and other public areas by removing litter and trash.
Reducing Waste and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
As a member of the US EPA WasteWise program, PSEG tracks the greenhouse gas emission reductions from our waste prevention and recycling. Between 2006 and 2007 (the most recent data available), PSEG reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by an additional 8,173.49 metric tons carbon equivalent.
Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Progress
Activity
2004
2005
2006
2007
Greenhouse Gas Reductions (MTCE)
Waste Prevention
563.86
491.55
103.92
77.57
Recycling
17,290.58
18,873.94
20,061.57
28,261.41
Total
17,854.44
19,365.49
20,165.49
28,338.98
Award
In 2007 PSEG received the Business of the Year Award from the NJ Clean Communities organization in recognition for an all-volunteer PSEG Environmental Partnership Team. Their work, which is done during personal time in the evenings and weekends in home basements, workshop and yards, is inspired by the Team’s partners: the Hackensack Riverkeeper, the NY/NJ Baykeeper, the New Jersey Tree Foundation, Ducks Unlimited and the Liberty State Park Conservancy.
