Waste
Any activity undertaken by us, household or industrial activity, results in the production of waste. The solid waste generated is disposed off through dumping into landfills or incineration, but these methods are associated with negative effects on the environment. Such methods result in the land, air, and water pollution due to leaching of contamination along with associated emissions of carbon dioxide and methane that contribute to climate change and the local health impacts of emitted particulates. As a part of the efforts to deliver our Sustainability Vision, JSW Energy has committed to implement methods to prevent waste, reuse and recycle waste, and responsible disposal of waste. Managing waste in an environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and techno-commercially viable manner is of crucial importance in the Energy manufacturing process. JSW Energy has an integrated strategy towards efficient waste management that ensures optimal utilization of resources and minimal disposal of solid waste.
Waste Management
Being an energy provider with complex systems generating different waste streams both with hazardous and non-hazardous content, JSWEL take up sustainable waste management practices for safe disposal.
Improper waste management can lead to increased pollution level in the surroundings leading to lower standards of living for our surrounding communities. Polluting the environment can also lead to heavy fines and penalties. Waste that is not disposed properly can lead to contamination and must be recycled to prevent environmental degradation. Waste management at JSW Energy is an important activity and all concerned teams ensure that all compliances related to the handling of waste material whether hazardous or non-hazardous are followed in a responsible manner. Since waste management is a material issue, we have taken significant steps to increase the circularity initiatives. The company ensures to adhere by circularity philosophy for minimising the adverse effects on stakeholders, community, and environment.
The power plants mainly have waste oil generated during the maintenance activities, which needs a safe disposal through authorized agencies and authorised recyclers. Additionally, ash is produced by the thermal power plants. Proper collection and disposal of these waste materials is expensive and requires the establishment of strong process.
JSW Energy has implemented several initiatives to reduce waste generation, such as optimising processes, use of smart and latest technologies, innovative business plans for increasing the material efficiency, and streamlining lifecycle of materials across the organisation and environment. The plants have safe storage locations for used oil with all safety systems within the set-up. Small quantities of e-waste, battery waste, MS scrap waste, plastic waste is generated at most of the locations where these wastes are also handled & disposed in a responsible manner. All thermal power plant locations have a structured set-up of ash collection, storage and disposal system. Traditionally, Ash silos of desired capacity are available in the plants with provision of ash evacuation into an Ash Bulker at the bottom. The plants have tie-ups with Cement making and brick making companies who take away all the ash from the plants which is used as an input material for their product.
In order to ensure proper waste management the company has set a target to increase waste Ash Utilisation to 100% by 2030. In FY 2022-23, the company achieved its target and have ensured 100% Waste - Ash Utilisation.
The company is making concerted efforts to divert waste from disposal by increasing reuse and recycle to improve the environmental output of our business activities. JSWEL is contributing to the circular economy by striving for 100% utilisation of waste. The fly ash is disposed to cement manufacturers and brick manufacturers. The legacy ash is being used/would be used in highway expansion projects, which are permissible eco-friendly ways defined in the MOEF notification.
Waste Generation and Utilization trends of JSW Energy
During FY 2022-23, we recycled and reused 1,157.73 MT and safely disposed 1,531.75 MT of solid waste. This does not include hazardous waste (waste oil, battery waste and e-waste) and ash waste. Our solid waste target for FY 2022-23 was recycle 100% of waste.
JSWEL has a target to recycle/reuse 100% of hazardous waste through authorized vendors.
