Central Hudson’s Recycling Program Conserves Resources, Reduces Costs

Program provides employment opportunities for people with disabilities from UGARC

More than 12 million pounds of paper, cable, wire and other building materials have been recycled under Central Hudson’s Resource Recovery Program since its inception 20 years ago. As part of this program, employees of the Ulster-Greene ARC sort, bale and refurbish this salvageable material. “Central Hudson is serious about recycling, and our program, now in its 20th year, not only conserves natural resources and protects the environment, but also saves our customers money while at the same time giving local residents with developmental disabilities the opportunity to provide a valuable and necessary service,” said Carl E. Meyer, President and Chief Operating Officer of Central Hudson.

“When material used in the local electric and natural gas delivery system is removed from service, for example after damaging storms or during maintenance and improvement projects, much of it is transported to our centralized recycling center in Ulster County” said Meyer. “Once there, the items are sorted and packed for shipment to commercial recycling centers by UGARC employees working on site, who have been an integral part of our recycling program since 1988.”

Additional recycling is performed at the utility’s other facilities located throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley. In 2006 alone, nearly 350 tons of wire, metal, paper and cardboard were recycled. In addition, nearly 13,000 items, such as connectors, hardware, streetlamp components, transformers, empty cable reels and wood pallets, were refurbished and placed back into use or appropriately recycled.

“The recycling program not only conserves valuable landfill space and natural resources, but also saves energy by reusing these materials,” said Meyer. Recycling paper, glass and metals requires far less energy than producing these same items from raw materials. For example, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, recycling a pound of steel saves enough energy to operate a 60-watt light bulb for 26 hours, and recycling one ton of glass saves nine gallons of fuel oil.

“In addition to resource conservation, the recycling program generates cost savings and revenues, which ultimately benefits our customers,” said Meyer. In 2006 alone, avoided purchases and expenses from reusing refurbished components and bypassing landfill charges saved about $50,000, while sales of scrap metal and other materials generated $350,000 in offsets to operating expenses.

“The program also provides employment for people with disabilities who are making a significant contribution to the protection of the environment,” noted Meyer. “The relationship we’ve developed with Ulster-Greene ARC has been extremely beneficial to us both, and we appreciate their continued participation in this important program.”

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