March 18, 2024

To commemorate Global Recycling Day on March 18, we’re highlighting company employee-led initiatives that have resulted in more than 7,000 tons of recycled materials in recent years.

FirstEnergy’s operational sustainability efforts have led to the recycling of:

• More than 1,500 tons of plastic, metal and cardboard materials.
• More than 5,000 tons of wood utility poles and reels.
• More than 650 tons of shredded paper.
• More than 50 tons of electronic waste, including computers and phones.

“Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond our operational activities; it’s deeply ingrained in our corporate culture, thanks to our employees,” said Dave Frederick, Director, Environmental. “Our recycling achievements underscore our dedication to minimizing our environmental footprint and contributing positively to the communities we serve.”

Wood utility poles are one of FirstEnergy’s largest waste streams, contributing thousands of tons of waste each year. Through our Wood Pole Diversion Program, all of our utility companies divert worn or aging poles from landfills into various reuse and recycling options available in each state the company serves.

Just last year, employees diverted more than 2,400 tons of wood poles, which found new life in farmers’ fields and parks or were milled into lumber.

Additionally, through our Recycling and Investment Recovery Program, FirstEnergy manages the company’s surplus assets, primarily wire and cable, through reuse, refurbishment and sale. By repairing or processing materials and products for reuse, we reduce new material purchases while creating less landfill waste and mitigating its environmental impact. In 2023, employees sorted and handled nearly 2.7 million pounds of scrap material. We also recycled more than 2 million pounds of cables and wires, which allowed us to obtain credit toward future purchases.

One of the standout aspects of FirstEnergy’s recycling endeavors has been its employee-led initiatives. These include the NexTrex challenge, which has enabled employees to collect more than 1,800 pounds of plastic waste over the past year. Further, more than 250 pairs of employee-donated blue jeans have been repurposed into home insulation and many more pairs will be thanks to the a first quarter 2024 denim recycling drive sponsored by our Green Teams. Employees still have time to donate old denim to the effort, which ends March 31.