Modernizing Emission Control
Technology in the energy sector has come a long way, and embracing some of those changes can make a world of difference for the environment and how we affect it. In the ongoing push for cleaner solutions, Covanta Essex took action to improve its systems by completing an extensive upgrade for its three boilers. The hefty investment involved the replacement of electrostatic precipitators with state-of-the-art baghouses.
So what exactly does that mean? It means that there was a major over-haul in how the facility handles its emissions! To help paint a picture, imagine a household vacuum cleaner. A baghouse operates similarly, as it is equipped with fabric filters that capture undesirable materials. In this case, however, that particulate matter is being removed from combustion gases, and on a much grander scale. Stephen J. Jones, Covanta’s president and chief executive officer said,
"While the facility operated well below its permit limits with the former system, the upgrades will improve the environmental performance of the facility even further, lowering some emissions by over 90 percent."
For example, the previous electrostatic precipitators kept Covanta Essex’s mercury level 67 percent below the state permit level. With the new baghouse installation, that percentage has gone on to be 94 percent below the state permit level.
To help illustrate the boost in reduction a bit further, take a look at this chart below—it provides the averaged percent reduction in pollutants between the facility's three boilers.
Regarding the investment and the positive outcome, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin said,
"I commend Covanta and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for stepping up to the plate and working cooperatively with us to modernize this facility’s equipment to improve air quality in our largest city and the surrounding region."
Combatting an Epidemic
For the longest time, the negative impacts of unused and discarded pharmaceuticals had been overlooked. Now that the growing damage caused by the opioid epidemic has entered the limelight, so too has the importance of responsible waste practices in relation to those substances.
In support of national efforts to alleviate these issues, Covanta has developed the Prescription for Safety Program (Rx4Safety). For nearly a decade, this initiative has provided a safe and reliable avenue for the disposal of medications through “drug take back days.”
These community-sponsored events have destroyed over four million pounds of unwanted drugs and medications, educating the public on the dangers of misuse all while keeping the unwanted substances out of our waterways, our soil, and our homes.
Growing Sustainability
This past spring, Covanta and Rutgers teamed up with St. Benedict's Prep to make the campus more eco-friendly by capitalizing on the seasonal rainfall. The Newark school’s goal was to reintroduce native plants to the grounds while reducing the strain on the city’s combined sewer system by collecting rooftop runoff and redirecting it into a proposed garden. The project was championed by the Green Bees, a sustainability-focused after-school program whose members volunteer their time to drive recycling practices and environmental awareness.
After some generous funding from Rutgers, a $1,000 plant donation from Covanta, and a bit of gritty, hands-on work from all, the student group’s goal was realized and the campus was able to give their new rain garden two green thumbs up. According to Rosana Da Silva of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) Water Resources Program, the rain garden,
"will capture an estimated 22,400 gallons of storm water draining from the neighboring rooftop on an annual basis."
22,400 gallons captured from one garden, that’s about how much water 250 people use in a day!
While this achievement was something to be proud of in itself, St. Benedict's continued to work with Covanta and the Go Green Initiative to educate themselves on sustainability and develop ways to spur conservation within their community. One such effort was the installation of several, strategically placed recycling bins around the grounds. The new additions, accompanied by a student-made informational video, reintroduced the positive impact even one person could make on the environment. Michelle Tuorto, a science teacher and Dean of Faculty who founded the School’s Sustainability Committee seems pleased with the turnout and the effect it has taken of some of the student body. She said,
"It’s a lifestyle you have to cultivate, because many of our students are not recycling at home. These guys are concerned about climate change. They’re getting the message."
Meet the Green Bees and their thoughts on recycling and sustainability here:
e-waste recycling made easy
"Recycling one million laptops saves the energy equivalent to the electricity used by more than 3,500 US homes in a year." – U.S. EPA
Most people know that electronic waste, or e-waste, describes discarded electrical or electronic devices that can range from simple wires to CPUs. What most people don’t know, is that these devices often contain valuable resources and materials. Recycling electronics conserves natural resources, and avoids pollution and greenhouse gas emissions that are caused by manufacturing virgin materials.
These materials may also contain potentially harmful components, so the responsible disposal of such items is paramount in protecting the environment. Improperly discarded e-waste can be a security liability as well. Digital hardware may contain sensitive information, so apart from the evident physical harm, e-waste can damage your wallet too!
To help spread awareness and promote safer e-waste practices, Covanta has engaged in electronic collection efforts in Newark. Along with several local groups including Newark’s Ironbound Business Improvement District, Panasonic, and Urban Renewal in the City of Newark, Covanta has hosted six e-waste collection events which have amassed over 25,000 lbs. of electronics.
covanta Honored by CLEAN COMMUNITIES
"Don't work for recognition, but do work worthy of recognition." H. Jackson Brown Jr.
Covanta’s mission has always been to work with companies and communities to find sustainable solutions to their waste management challenges.
Recently, that mission has been honored with an award for our continued support of New Jersey Clean Communities. One prominent effort was Slam Dunk the Junk, in which Covanta volunteered in a litter cleanup with the Recycling Coordinator of Newark and Panasonic. The event took place in Valisburg Park and had over 5,000 people in attendance!
Credits:
Created with images by psyberartist - "rosy glasses,crimson pills" • manfredrichter - "blue pillow garden plant purple" • axonite - "board computer circuit" • vinodnarayan - "garbage can park green"