Our newly released 2019 Sustainability Report showcases some of the many great things we are doing to take care of our planet for future generations and help communities thrive. It will take dedication and teamwork to accomplish our ambitious sustainability goals which will carry us through 2030. Thank you for all of your hard work in helping us get there!
To learn more about our 2030 sustainability goals, you’ve come to the right place! Visit Blue Nation Online every week as we take a deep dive into each of our goals and specific initiatives contributing to our success. Over the next several weeks, we’ll take a closer look at the following five areas of our sustainability plan:
'Week 4: Materials Management
Our materials management goals are focused on extending the life of the materials we recover from the waste stream by recycling key commodities and extracting more biogas from our landfills to use as a renewable energy source. Both add value to the economy while benefitting our environment.
Here are a few examples of the investments we’ve made to protect our planet’s natural resources.
“Next-Gen” Recycling Facility and Learning Center
Our Plano Recycling Center in Texas opened in 2019 and was recognized as the Recycling Facility of the Year by the National Waste & Recycling Association. This 77,000-squarefoot, state-of-the-art facility serves more than 510,000 residents and 2,500 commercial customers. Highly advanced sorting technologies — including optical scanners and robots which recognize specified material in milliseconds — are used to process 350 tons of recyclable materials per day
Expanding Landfill Gas-To-Energy Projects
Using waste to make clean power and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels is a win-win. Republic is doing just that with renewable energy projects across the nation using advanced landfill gas-to-energy technology (LFGTE) to capture methane that’s released as food waste, yard debris and other organic materials decompose in the landfill. The methane is then processed to meet natural gas pipeline quality specifications, converting organic waste into a clean fuel and energy source — and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Taking the Lead in Composting
With 10 compost facilities in four states as of 2019, we processed 1.7 billion pounds of organic waste at our organics facilities last year, creating more than 275,000 tons of nutrient-rich compost. This compost is marketed and sold to residential customers, landscapers, golf courses, farmers and some big gardening brands you’d recognize at your local home improvement store. Many of our composting facilities are technologically advanced, using mechanical aeration to speed up the biological process and to reduce odors and emissions.
Contact Us
What does sustainability mean to you and how do you practice it in your life?
Email us at BlueNation@RepublicServices.com and share your favorite ways!
