Public Service Enterprise Group, headquartered in New Jersey, was inducted into the WasteWise Hall of Fame by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this month. The company was recognized for 10 years of waste reduction accomplishments. In 1993, the utility firm formed a Resource Recovery Group, charged with incorporating waste prevention and recycling into every aspect of energy production. The Resource Recovery Group activities propelled the company to stardom in the waste reduction community.
The Resource Recovery Group offers waste haulers financial incentives to identify waste reduction opportunities. The company achieved a recycling rate of 96.4 percent in 2002.
PSEG’s Paulsboro Resource Recovery Center contributes to the success of its resource management program. This center sorts surplus materials and allocates them for internal reuse, external sale, donation, and recycling. In 2002 alone, the center designated nearly 70 computers for reuse, 40 for resale, and 500 for donation, saving PSEG more than $110,000 and keeping the equipment out of landfills.
WasteWise is a voluntary partnership program launched by EPA in 1994. The program provides guidance and recognition to more than 1,300 participating organizations working to find practical methods to reduce municipal solid waste and improve financial performance.