We continually strive to reduce our waste. You will find recycling bins throughout our facilities to keep paper, cardboard, plastic, and other recyclables out of the trash. Our Jackson corporate facilities also feature composting centers for organic materials, and we use compostable dishes and utensils in our on-site cafeterias.

We keep tabs on how we reduce our waste. This includes site visits to our facilities to see how much waste we generate and how effective our trash and recycling containers are. Our Green Team members are a large part of our waste reduction success. They’re spread throughout our service area and are committed to environmental sustainability in and out of the workplace.

Our efforts extend beyond our facilities. We recycle items like rubber protective equipment. This includes gloves and sleeves worn by our line workers. Our rubber recycling efforts can potentially provide material that can be used for playground surfaces.

In the field, our waste reduction efforts include conserving and recycling soil on projects that require clearing and digging. We also fight phragmites, an invasive species that threatens the health of Michigan’s wetlands. We do this by using innovative land-management tactics to keep the harmful grass out of landfills.

All our efforts are measured through tracking the waste and landfill avoidance data which is used to generate meaningful goals. We focus on waste reduction as the combined efforts of reducing waste, improving reuse, and increasing recycling. We set a goal to annually divert a minimum of 90% of waste from landfills (through waste reduction, recycling, and reuse). During 2023, our rate of waste diverted from landfills was 91%.

Eliminating Coal Combustion Residuals

Our Clean Energy Plan aims to retire our coal plants through 2025. This plan is an industry-leading initiative that will stop the production of coal combustion residuals (CCRs) like fly ash and bottom ash. CCRs are produced during the energy generation process. CCR units that remain will be regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) for at least 30-years during the post-closure care period. During this time, groundwater monitoring, vegetation maintenance and other compliance requirements will take place.

In addition to state regulations, CCRs are regulated by the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. In compliance with this law, we provide data related to the operation and maintenance of our CCR units on Consumers Energy website: CCR Rule Compliance.

Read our latest Waste and Landfill Avoidance report for more information on our efforts.