Protecting Our Resources
Waste & Recycling
Guided by our internal Waste Management Policy, CenterPoint Energy is committed to the principles of waste minimization and pollution prevention.
When wastes are generated, CenterPoint Energy operates in compliance with applicable regulations to ensure safe handling and proper disposal. Training and support is provided to ensure that personnel are aware of their responsibilities under the applicable environmental regulations.
CenterPoint Energy’s waste is derived primarily from maintenance and replacement of electric transmission and distribution, natural gas infrastructure, as well as from our offices. We manage all operational controls, policies and procedures as part of our commitment to compliance. Construction routing for new natural gas or electric transmission lines is planned to avoid or minimize the disturbance of environmentally sensitive areas. We focus on recycling and conservation during the planning and design phase of a project in an effort to limit long-term environment impact.
Hazardous waste and key non-hazardous waste volumes are tracked and reported through quarterly key performance indicators. To reduce the amount of hazardous waste generated, we continuously strive to find suitable nonhazardous alternatives to solvents and other products that are needed to conduct our operations. The Environmental Department developed an Environmental Inspection and Audit Guide that provides detailed guidance on the auditing and approval of waste and recycling vendors. We conduct environmental audits on hazardous and non-hazardous special waste and recycling vendors prior to entering a contract and at least every three to five years thereafter.
Waste and Recycling Highlights
- In our power supply business, the generation facilities have recycled nearly 90% of the fly ash generated since 2009 for use by a cement kiln as a replacement for virgin materials. Our F.B. Culley plant has recycled nearly 100% of the synthetic gypsum it has produced since 1996.
- Additional waste streams diverted from the landfill include paper, aluminum, plastic, cardboards, lamps, electronic waste, scrap metal, oil and wood debris, which are recycled, reused or donated to local charitable organizations through our Investment Recovery Services group.
- We continue to seek commercial opportunities to recycle and reuse our waste products wherever possible, and we have a robust recycling program in place across all of our business units.
CenterPoint Energy has dedicated emergency response cleanup contractors that respond to oil spills from our equipment and act quickly to remediate a spill area.
| Waste | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coal Combustion Products | |||
| Coal Combustion Residuals Generated (Metric Tons) | 344,129 | 437,372* | 612,940 |
| Percent of Coal Combustion Residuals Recycled | 91% | 84% | 72% |
| Fly Ash (Metric Tons) | – | – | 121,463 |
| Gypsum (Metric Tons) | – | – | 237,609 |
| Bottom Ash (Metric Tons) | – | – | 6,792 |
| Excavated Ponded Material (Metric Tons) | – | – | 77,956 |
|
*2020 CCR totals are inclusive of filtercake per revised 2020 EPA CCR Regulations |
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| Hazardous Waste | |||
| Total Hazardous Waste (Metric Tons) | 138 | 396 | 85 |
| Non Hazardous Waste | |||
| Total Non Hazardous Waste (Metric Tons) | – | – | 115,088 |
| Universal Waste | |||
| Total Universal Waste (Metric Tons) | – | – | 15 |
| Recycled Scrap Metal Waste | |||
| Total Recycled Scrap Metal (Metric Tons) | – | – | 6,384 |
| Batteries Recycled | |||
| Total Batteries Recycled (Metric Tons) | – | – | 64 |
| Electronic Waste Recycled | |||
| Total Electronic Waste Recycled (Metric Tons) | – | – | 152 |
| Recycled Used Oil | |||
| Total Recycled Used Oil (Metric Tons) | – | – | 2,183 |