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Veolia, the largest provider of environmental services in the world, recently received industry awards for a series of sustainability initiatives at the company’s hazardous waste treatment facility in Gum Springs, Arkansas — particularly the installation of a solar panel installation covering over 30 acres.
Over the next 25 years, the solar panels and other sustainability innovations at the facility will lead to a 90% reduction in Scope two carbon emissions from electricity consumption compared to similar facilities consuming 100% of their electricity from the current Arkansas grid. This system for locally based energy decarbonization is a key booster for Veolia’s global GreenUp strategy for growth and innovation, leading to greater sustainability for customers and communities.
The work being done by Veolia at Gum Springs was singled out by two leading environmental publications – Energy + Environment Leader and Climate Change Business Journal – in making the hazardous waste industry more environmentally sustainable and operationally efficient.
- Energy + Environment Leader recognized the Veolia Gum Springs initiatives with a Project of the Year Award for 2024. “Every year, our judges look to recognize the businesses that are truly moving the needle and striving for sustainability and operational efficiency,” said Kay Harrison, Vice President and head of the E+E Leader Awards program, adding that the Veolia initiatives reflect “the kind of forward-thinking strategies and technologies that companies need to stay ahead in an increasingly complex energy and environmental landscape.”
- Climate Change Business Journal recognized the Veolia Gum Springs project with an annual Business Achievement Award for outstanding business performance and achievement in the climate change industry. The publication applauded Veolia’s “applied innovation focus on operations and sustainability.”
The solar project is one of many pioneering sustainability initiatives at the Gum Springs facility including:
- A forest management program, covering over 1,000 acres surrounding the facility, which includes over 600 acres of active reforestation and the planting of 124,000 trees in 2025.
- A first-of-its-kind innovation for capturing heat to generate electricity. This feature will make use of a 7-megawatt steam turbine to generate power.
- Advanced technologies for monitoring wildlife and biodiversity near the facility. In partnership with the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, France, a cutting-edge LEKO (Light Emission and Kinetic Observation) biodiversity monitoring tool is installed on the property, using sensors to listen, identify and count species in the surrounding habitat.
The solar installation was completed in 2024, utilizing advanced technology for improved energy production output. Additionally, a single-axis tracker racking system was employed to provide maximum electricity generation during daylight hours by tracking the sun’s movement from east to west across the sky. Environmental benefits include reduced greenhouse gas emissions, reduced pollution and greater energy independence.
“We are extremely proud to be recognized by these industry outlets and organizations for the sustainability work we are doing at Gum Springs,” said Bob Cappadona, President and CEO of Veolia North America’s Environmental Solutions and Services business. “These initiatives demonstrate Veolia’s vision for creating a brighter future for the hundreds of communities in the U.S. under our three pillars: depollution, decarbonization and preserving essential resources in waste, water and energy. Veolia’s GreenUp strategy hinges on a commitment to providing innovative solutions for environmental challenges, as demonstrated through the work and vision being carried out at Gum Springs.”
Last year, the Gum Springs sustainability projects were recognized with the Diamond Award for environmental leadership from the Arkansas Environmental Federation.