Sustainability at Clean Harbors

Clean Harbors is keenly aware of the role the Company plays in the environmental, energy and industrial services industries regarding the use and management of our valuable natural resources. We have developed numerous programs and initiatives to ensure that all operations comply with environmental policies, and we focus on activities that will improve the company’s and our customer’s impact on the environment.

As an environmentally conscious company, we are committed to recycling and reclaiming wastes using a variety of methods.  Learn more about how Clean Harbors helps customers be environmentally responsible »

2013 Sustainability Initiative

Clean Harbors has initiated a pilot study sustainability initiative for 2013. Our El Dorado, Arkansas incineration facility, Grassy Mountain, Utah landfill, and Chicago, Illinois solvent recycle facility have been selected to establish greenhouse gas and recycling programs. At each location we calculated the Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions for 2012. We will monitor these facilities in 2013 for greenhouse gas emissions and endeavor to maintain emissions on a proportional basis year-over-year. Each facility has also developed waste recycling and reduction programs for 2013. The individual location programs are listed below. The programs will be tracked through the year and results published by January 31, 2014.

Renewable Energy Development

Clean Harbors is developing Company property into alternative power and energy projects, as well as revitalizing Brownfield properties.  Several Clean Harbors locations are being evaluated for their potential to support solar, co-generation, wind, geothermal, and waste-heat sources of energy for use within the location or for external use.  Learn more »

ENERGY STAR Partner

Clean Harbors is an ENERGY STAR Partner.  Through this program, Clean Harbors has implemented a proven energy management strategy that helps measure energy performance, set goals, and track energy reduction.

Energy Efficiency Improvements

Clean Harbors is enrolled in electricity curtailment programs at several waste processing facilities, and has implemented energy efficiency improvements, such as programmable lighting, HVAC controls right sizing electric motors and pumps.  We implemented a company policy to manage personal computer power consumption for all employees.  Upon initial roll out, this policy reduced energy consumption by 397,000 kWh.

Green Purchasing

Clean Harbors purchases recycled materials and supplies versus new, where practical.  The company purchases containers and drums made from post-consumer plastic, and uses recycled steel drums.  We also use biodegradable degreasers in cleaning processes at all locations.

Recycling Programs

Clean Harbors has a company-wide paper and cardboard recycling program.

Transportation Fleet Initiatives

Clean Harbors runs its transportation fleet and equipment more efficiently and reduces its overall fuel consumption.  Computerized auto-idler systems and GPS based vehicle performance programs track and manage engine and vehicle efficiencies and measure many statistics, including fuel efficiency and idle time.

Railroad Initiatives

Clean Harbors routinely uses rail transportation to offset the need to truck transportation of waste materials destined for our waste processing facilities.  Moving material by rail greatly offsets fuel consumption and emissions from truck transportation.