7,000+ tons of materials
recycled through company and employee
initiatives
AKRON,
Ohio, March 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- To
commemorate Global Recycling Day on March
18, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) is highlighting various
company- and employee-led initiatives that have resulted in more
than 7,000 tons of recycled materials over recent years.
FirstEnergy's operational sustainability efforts have led to the
recycling of:
- More than 1,500 tons of plastic, metal and cardboard
materials.
- More than 5,000 tons of wood utility poles and reels.
- More than 650 tons of shredded paper.
- More than 50 tons of electronic waste, including computers and
phones.
Dave Frederick, Director of
Environmental at FirstEnergy: "Our commitment to
sustainability extends beyond our operational activities; it's
deeply ingrained in our corporate culture, thanks to our employees.
Our recycling achievements underscore our dedication to minimizing
our environmental footprint and contributing positively to the
communities we serve."
Wood utility poles are one of FirstEnergy's largest waste
streams, contributing thousands of tons of waste each year. Through
the company's Wood Pole Diversion Program, all FirstEnergy electric
companies divert worn or aging poles from landfills into various
reuse and recycling options available in each state the company
serves.
Just last year, the company diverted more than 2,400 tons of
wood poles, which found new life in farmers' fields and parks or
were milled into lumber.
Additionally, through its Recycling and Investment Recovery
Program, FirstEnergy manages the company's surplus assets,
primarily wire and cable, through reuse, refurbishment and sale. By
repairing or processing materials and products for reuse, the
company reduces new material purchases while creating less landfill
waste and mitigating its environmental impact. In 2023, company
workers sorted and handled nearly 2.7 million pounds of scrap
material. They also recycled more than 2 million pounds of cables
and wires, which allowed the company to obtain credits toward
future purchases.
One of the standout aspects of FirstEnergy's recycling endeavors
has been its employee-led initiatives. These include the NexTrex
challenge, which has enabled FirstEnergy employees to collect more
than 1,800 pounds of plastic waste over the past year. Further,
more than 250 pairs of employee-donated blue jeans have been
repurposed into home insulation, showcasing the innovative and
impactful nature of FirstEnergy's approach to recycling.
For more information on FirstEnergy's environmental and
corporate responsibility efforts, visit
fecorporateresponsibility.com.
FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and
operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form
one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems,
serving customers in Ohio,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West
Virginia, Maryland and
New York. The company's
transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of
transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic
regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at firstenergycorp.com.
Follow FirstEnergy on X, formerly known as Twitter,
at @FirstEnergyCorp.
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.