Energy-from-Waste Facility Awarded Top Honors

Onondaga facility chosen for outstanding operations and commitment to environmentally and economically sound solid waste management

Covanta Onondaga, L.P., a subsidiary of Covanta Energy Corporation and operator of the Onondaga County Resource Recovery Facility has been awarded the 2012 Gold Excellence Award from the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA). The facility serves Onondaga County and the greater Syracuse region with sustainable waste disposal, processing approximately 990 tons of municipal solid waste per day into more than 39 megawatts of renewable energy – enough to power approximately 40,000 homes.

Covanta has operated the facility in partnership with the Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency (OCRRA) since its inception in the mid-1990s. “Covanta is well-deserving of this prestigious SWANA award. Since startup in 1994, the facility’s operational and environmental performance has exceeded expectations,” said Mark Donnelly, OCRRA’s Executive Director. “Covanta’s strong partnership with OCRRA and willing cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Environmental Protection Agency’s regulatory oversight is a recipe for success. Onondaga County reaps the benefit of energy production and well-funded recycling programs, thanks to the efficient processing of trash at this Energy-from-Waste facility and OCRRA’s comprehensive system of ‘green’ services.”

SWANA’s Excellence Awards Program recognizes outstanding solid waste programs and facilities that advance the practice of environmentally and economically sound solid waste management.

“On behalf of all the employees of Covanta Onondaga, I am pleased to accept this award honoring our environmental, safety and sustainability achievements,” said Kathleen Carroll Covanta Onondaga Business Manager. “We work tirelessly to operate in the safest and most environmentally sound manner possible and are proud of our work in the community to be a good corporate citizen and neighbor.”

Since its inception, the Covanta Onondaga Energy-from-Waste facility has:

• Converted over 5.7 million tons of municipal solid waste into approximately 3.6 million megawatt hours of clean, renewable energy
• Recovered and recycled more than 173,000  tons of metal, the equivalent amount of steel used to build more than 140,000  automobiles
• Reduced approximately 5.7 million tons of greenhouse gases based on national averages, which is equal to avoiding the annual greenhouse gases from over 1 million passenger vehicles

— News submitted by James F. Regan, Manager, Corporate Communications & Media Relations with Covanta Energy Corporation