Contact Information: Emily Albano, 913-551-7860, albano.emily@epa.gov

LENEXA, KAN. (JAN. 28, 2022) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern) in Omaha, Nebraska, with a EPA Region 7 WasteWise Award for both 2020 and 2021.

“Congratulations to Northern on their well-deserved recognition as a WasteWise Award winner,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister. “Northern has taken a truly comprehensive approach to waste reduction – from recyling cans and scrap metal to a continued use program for used solvent that otherwise would have been hazardous waste.”

“At Northern, our Environmental RESPECT Policy has led to action. Our employees’ actions to reduce waste and increase recycling have led to a culture of ecological awareness and environmental respect with significant and substantive results,” said Greg Ammon, Northern environmental director.

Northern Natural Gas Company owns and operates the largest interstate natural gas pipeline in the United States. During 2019, Northern replaced fluorescent bulbs with LEDs, decreasing the number of bulbs recycled from 3,884 pounds in 2019 to 1,659 pounds in 2020. In 2020, Northern diverted over 2.7 million pounds of materials from landfills. This included large-scale construction projects that recycled over 888 tons of scrap metal and 12.8 tons of paper.

Employees recycled or reused approximately 80,000 gallons of used oil; 17,823 gallons of glycol; and 4.88 tons of batteries. Northern also participates in a solvent continued-use program that prevented the disposal of 8,070 gallons of used solvent that would have been characterized as hazardous waste. The company also recycles aluminum cans, cardboard, e-waste, plastic and newspaper.

As one of EPA’s longest-running voluntary programs, WasteWise celebrated its 27th year in 2021. Over the years, WasteWise winners prevented and diverted close to 249 million tons of waste from landfills and incinerators, preventing more than 488 million tons of associated greenhouse gas emissions, and saving over $13.7 billion in avoided landfill tipping fees.

EPA Region 7 is proud to recognize Northern Natural Gas Company for their accomplishment.

More information about each WasteWise award winner is available at:  www.epa.gov/smm/wastewise#AwardsandAwardWinners.

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