Veolia's Sustainability Innovations at Gum Springs Earn Industry Recognition and Awards
Veolia, the world’s largest environmental services provider, recently garnered industry accolades for a range of sustainability efforts at its hazardous waste treatment facility in Gum Springs, Arkansas, notably the installation of solar panels across more than 30 acres. Over the next 25 years, the solar system and other sustainability advancements at the site are expected to reduce Scope 2 carbon emissions from electricity use by 90%, compared to similar facilities reliant on the current Arkansas grid. This localized energy decarbonization model is a significant driver for Veolia's global GreenUp strategy, which aims to promote growth, innovation, and sustainability for its customers and communities.
Veolia’s initiatives at Gum Springs have been highlighted by two prominent environmental publications: Energy + Environment Leader and Climate Change Business Journal. These publications commended the company’s efforts to improve sustainability and operational efficiency within the hazardous waste industry.
Veolia’s initiatives at Gum Springs have been highlighted by two prominent environmental publications: Energy + Environment Leader and Climate Change Business Journal. These publications commended the company’s efforts to improve sustainability and operational efficiency within the hazardous waste industry.
- Energy + Environment Leader honored the Gum Springs project with its 2024 Project of the Year Award, recognizing the company’s forward-thinking strategies and technologies as vital to navigating the increasingly complex energy and environmental sectors.
- Climate Change Business Journal awarded Veolia a Business Achievement Award, praising the company’s focus on applied innovation in both operations and sustainability.
The solar project is just one of many groundbreaking sustainability measures at the Gum Springs facility, including:
- A forest management program spanning over 1,000 acres around the site, with 600 acres dedicated to reforestation and plans to plant 124,000 trees in 2025.
- An innovative system for capturing heat to generate electricity, utilizing a 7-megawatt steam turbine.
- Advanced wildlife and biodiversity monitoring technologies, such as a LEKO (Light Emission and Kinetic Observation) tool installed in collaboration with the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, which uses sensors to track and identify species in the area.
The solar installation, completed in 2024, uses advanced technology to maximize energy output. The system’s single-axis tracker ensures optimal electricity generation by following the sun’s movement throughout the day. This contributes to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, less pollution, and enhanced energy independence.
"We are extremely proud to be recognized by these industry leaders for the sustainability efforts at Gum Springs," said Bob Cappadona, President and CEO of Veolia North America’s Environmental Solutions and Services business. "These projects reflect Veolia’s vision for a sustainable future across hundreds of U.S. communities, focusing on depollution, decarbonization, and the preservation of essential resources in waste, water, and energy. Our GreenUp strategy is built on providing innovative solutions to environmental challenges, as demonstrated by the work at Gum Springs."
In 2024, the facility also received the Diamond Award for Environmental Leadership from the Arkansas Environmental Federation.
"We are extremely proud to be recognized by these industry leaders for the sustainability efforts at Gum Springs," said Bob Cappadona, President and CEO of Veolia North America’s Environmental Solutions and Services business. "These projects reflect Veolia’s vision for a sustainable future across hundreds of U.S. communities, focusing on depollution, decarbonization, and the preservation of essential resources in waste, water, and energy. Our GreenUp strategy is built on providing innovative solutions to environmental challenges, as demonstrated by the work at Gum Springs."
In 2024, the facility also received the Diamond Award for Environmental Leadership from the Arkansas Environmental Federation.
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