Taking care of the environment: DTEK Kyiv Regional Grids sends 5,400 tons of waste for recycling
DTEK Kyiv Regional Grids sorts waste into 29 categories: glass, wastepaper, polymers, oily waste, and the like. They do this so that the waste materials are recycled, and not accumulated at landfills. 60% of the collected hazardous waste is sent for recycling and sale per contracts (such as scrap metal, car batteries, reinforced concrete poles, transformer oils) and 40% is stored at landfills (household and construction waste). This waste management is consistent with the European circular economy and helps to sustainably consume natural resources.
“DTEK is transforming its business according to the New 2030 Strategy based on ESG principles, values and business responsibility for progress in achieving the sustainable development goals of the UN Global Compact. Our company is committed to minimize the impact of our activities on the environment. Therefore, we are consistently working on waste sorting and proper recycling. In just two years, we have invested about UAH 1.2 million in the waste management system and sent 9,400 tons for recycling. Most of the waste is reused after processing,” says Vitaliy Shaida, CEO of DTEK Kyiv Regional Grids.
The main type of waste generated by DTEK Kyiv Regional Grids is reinforced concrete poles (5,200 tons). This waste is handed over for reuse at construction sites. Crushed stone and reinforcement are made. Among other wastes: waste oil products, tires, oily waste, batteries, wastepaper, glass, waste electrical equipment, polymers, waste mercury lamps, waste rubber products.
Also, the company annually produces about 14 tons of broken porcelain and glass insulators. It is an inert material that can be used in the production of refractories, electrical ceramics, as well as for arranging paths in landscape design. Now the distribution system operator is looking for potential consumers in Kyiv Region.
In addition, DTEK Kyiv Regional Grids implements measures that reduce waste generation. Since 2019, the company has not purchased mercury-containing lamps. If incandescent or energy-saving lamps fail, they are replaced with LED ones. In two years, the distribution system operator installed 3,800 LED lamps and plans to completely discontinue the use of mercury-containing lighting devices by 2025.
DTEK Kyiv Regional Grids teaches all its employees how to responsibly consume resources, sort waste and send it for recycling not only at work, but also at home. The company systematically carries out information campaign to raise awareness about the waste management during the World Days for Safety and Health at Work.
As previously reported, in 2020, DTEK Kyiv Regional Grids installed 41 nesting platforms for storks on poles across Kyiv Region. Owing to this initiative, more than 200 birds listed in the Berne Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats were preserved last year alone.