Recycling services provider Greenstar North America, based in Houston, has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a goal setter in its Climate Leaders Program during the Climate Leaders Partners Conference from Dec. 1 to 3 in National Harbor, Md.
Climate Leaders is an EPA industry-government partnership that works with companies to develop comprehensive climate change strategies.
Greenstar has set a goal to reduce emissions at its 15 recycling facilities by 10 percent within the next five years.
“Greenstar is committed to reducing emissions and preserving the environment,” says Mike Wynne, CEO of Greenstar North America and chair of Greenstar boards. “We are honored to participate in the EPA’s Climate Leaders Program and highlight the impact that recycling can have on combating climate change.”
Susan Wickwire, chief of EPA’s Energy Supply and Industry Branch, says, “We applaud Greenstar North America for setting a goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. As a Climate Leaders partner, they’re proving that they can be both industry leaders and leaders in the fight against climate change.”
As a part of the program, Greenstar has calculated its current emissions levels and has identified efficiency projects within its operations that can decrease energy use. Greenstar’s current emissions levels are below the mandatory reporting level of 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2E) at all of its individual facilities, so it will not be mandated to report its emissions to the EPA every year. Instead, the company is voluntarily reporting its emissions and committing to a 10 percent reduction.
At the EPA’s Climate Leaders Conference, Greenstar is highlighting the environmental benefits of recycling. Sara Conte, director of Corporate Development for Greenstar, will participate in an industry case study that will discuss the emissions reductions achieved by recycling paper. According to Greenstar, the study will demonstrate how emissions are saved across the business value chain with insight from Greenstar (paper recycler), Boise Paper (paper mill) and Staples (paper retailer).
According to the EPA, 83 million tons of paper are generated every year in America with 45 percent still ending up in landfills. For every million tons of paper recycled, 3.5 million MTCO2E of emissions are saved—the equivalent to taking 840,000 cars off the road, according to a press release issued by Greenstar.
Greenstar is referencing McKinsey’s 2009 study, “Pathways to a Low Carbon Economy,” in its case study. The McKinsey study highlights recycling as one of the activities that not only has significant abatement potential but that will pay for itself over time through reduced energy consumption.
Annually, Greenstar says it recycles 2 million tons of recyclables. Based on EPA estimates, the company is reducing emissions by approximately 6 million MTCO2E per year.
Greenstar’s parent company, NTR plc, based in Dublin, Ireland, was founded in 1978 and has evolved from being a developer and operator of infrastructure in Ireland to an international developer and operator of renewable energy (wind, solar and ethanol) and sustainable waste management businesses in the United States, U.K. and Ireland. The company employs more than 4,100 people.
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