Waste and Recycling

CenterPoint Energy continues to seek commercial opportunities to recycle and reuse our waste products wherever possible, and we have a robust recycling program in place across all of our business units.

CenterPoint Energy’s waste is derived primarily from maintenance and replacement of electric transmission and natural gas infrastructure, as well as from our offices. We manage all operational controls, policies and procedures as part of our commitment to compliance. In addition, we maintain a robust environmental audit program on all solid waste disposal vendors.

All hazardous and regulated waste is tracked for proper management. To reduce the amount of hazardous waste generated, we continuously strive to find suitable nonhazardous alternatives to solvents and other products that are needed to conduct our operations.

• In our power supply business, the generation facilities have recycled nearly 90% of the fly ash generated since 2009 for use by a cement kiln as a replacement for virgin materials. Our F.B. Culley plant has recycled nearly 100 % of the synthetic gypsum it has produced since 1996. 
• Construction routing for new natural gas or electric transmission lines is planned to avoid or minimize disturbance of environmentally sensitive areas. CenterPoint Energy has engaged in these partnerships with an understanding that a focus on recycling and conservation during the planning and design phase of a project can yield significant savings by limiting the long-term environment impact.
• Additional waste streams diverted from the landfill include paper, aluminum, plastic, cardboards, lamps, electronic waste, scrap metal, oil and wood debris, which are recycled, reused or donated to local charitable organizations.