At many airports, de-icing fluid is used to keep planes safe during winter weather. Instead of letting its main ingredient, propylene glycol, go to waste, we’re giving it a second life.
To help protect the environment, we partner with airports to collect stormwater runoff and recycle the used glycol by separating contaminants from the water and producing a lower-carbon recycled product. The recycled glycol is then refined into new de-icing fluid and sent back to airports, completing the circular process.
In 2024, Republic Services recycled 6.9 million pounds of propylene glycol through this program. This success is possible because of our Environmental Solutions teams, who manage specialized recycling centers that recover not only glycol, but also aerosol cans, oil, and other materials that require unique handling. Keep up the good work!
Stay tuned for the next story in our 2024 Sustainability Report series.
