Environment

Hazardous and
Non-Hazardous Waste

Thousand Metric Tons

Chart

Volume of waste generated varies year on year due to periodic maintenance activities; a focus on recycling has improved volumes since 2008.

Reducing Waste

Our natural gas gathering, processing, transmission, storage and distribution businesses generate solid and liquid waste streams, both hazardous and non-hazardous. Our business units’ hazardous waste primarily consists of pipeline liquids containing solids, liquids and sludges. Primary types of non-hazardous waste include wastewater and PCB-containing solids. Both hazardous and non-hazardous wastes are disposed of by licensed waste disposal companies. Waste volumes vary annually according to business unit activity level, according to operational and maintenance activity levels.

In 2010, our U.S. Transmission business conducted waste minimization pilot programs at four facilities that identified opportunities for increased recycling and reduction of hazardous waste. This resulted in improved waste management and recycling practices at a further seven facilities in 2011. Due to the success of this program, waste minimization will be rolled out to additional facilities in 2012.