Boston– Veolia, a global leader in environmental services, has earned two prestigious awards for its sustainability initiatives at its hazardous waste treatment facility in Gum Springs, Arkansas. The recognition comes in light of the company’s ambitious efforts to reduce carbon emissions and support biodiversity, with a key focus on a massive solar energy project and other green innovations.
The facility’s 30-acre solar installation — one of the largest of its kind in the region — was completed in 2024 and will power a new thermal incinerator expected to come online later this year. Over the next 25 years, the project is projected to slash Scope 2 carbon emissions by 90%, compared to similar facilities dependent solely on the Arkansas power grid.
The environmental achievements earned Veolia honors from two leading industry publications:
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Energy + Environment Leader named the Gum Springs initiatives a 2024 Project of the Year, highlighting the company’s innovative and efficient approach to sustainability. “Veolia reflects the kind of forward-thinking strategies and technologies that companies need to stay ahead in an increasingly complex energy and environmental landscape,” said Kay Harrison, Vice President of the E+E Leader Awards program.
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Climate Change Business Journal awarded Veolia a Business Achievement Award for outstanding performance in the climate change sector, commending the company’s applied innovation in operations and sustainability.
Beyond solar energy, the Gum Springs site is implementing a broad range of environmental programs, including:
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A forest management and reforestation project covering over 1,000 acres, with 124,000 trees slated for planting in 2025.
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An energy recovery system using a 7-megawatt steam turbine to generate electricity from captured heat — a first-of-its-kind approach in the industry.
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A biodiversity monitoring initiative featuring LEKO (Light Emission and Kinetic Observation) technology. Developed in partnership with the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, the system uses sensors to identify and count species in the area, helping track the local ecological impact.
The solar array itself is equipped with advanced single-axis trackers that follow the sun throughout the day to maximize energy output, contributing to lower emissions, reduced pollution, and increased energy independence for the facility.
“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. “These initiatives demonstrate Veolia’s vision for creating a brighter future through depollution, decarbonization, and preservation of essential resources.”
This is not the first time the Gum Springs facility has been honored for its green efforts. In 2023, the Arkansas Environmental Federation awarded the site its highest honor, the Diamond Award for environmental leadership.
Veolia’s work in Arkansas is part of its broader GreenUp strategy, aimed at transforming environmental challenges into sustainable solutions across waste, water, and energy sectors.
