Who We Are

Covanta Energy is one of the world’s largest owners and operators of infrastructure for the conversion of waste to energy (known as “Energy-from-Waste” or “EfW”), as well as other waste disposal and renewable energy production businesses. Covanta operates and/or has ownership positions in over 40 EfW facilities, primarily located in North America, and over 20 additional energy generation facilities, including other renewable energy production facilities in North and South America, Europe, as well as Asia. We also operate other waste management businesses complementary to our core EfW business including waste transfer stations and secure ash residue disposal sites. 

EfW is a sustainable waste disposal solution that is environmentally superior to landfills. It is a source of renewable energy that reduces overall greenhouse gas emissions  EfW projects also reduce the risk of groundwater contamination and conserve precious land resources. Our EfW facilities are an important element of an integrated municipal solid waste management system that maximises the recovery of energy and recycles metals while also minimising the environmental impacts of materials remaining after recycling.  It is documented that countries in Europe that utilise EfW as part of their comprehensive waste management solution typically enjoy higher recycling rates, than those that do not.

Covanta-operated facilities currently convert 18 million tonnes of waste annually into 9 million megawatt-hours of energy and more than 4 million tonnes of steam sold to a variety of industries. Covanta produces almost eight percent of America’s renewable energy (excluding that generated by hydro).

We also operate EfW facilities in China and Italy. We are pursuing additional growth opportunities in parts of Europe where the market demand, regulatory environment or other factors encourage technologies such as Energy-from-Waste to reduce dependence on landfill waste disposal and fossil fuel energy production in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Covanta’s growth in Europe is now being focused on the UK which for too long has relied heavily on landfill to dispose of residual waste. Legislation from the European Union supports a move away from this environmentally irresponsible method of waste disposal. This legislation means that there are strict targets on diversion of waste from landfill and heavy fines for European countries that do not comply. For local authorities in the UK this means similarly strict targets to reduce tonnages to landfill and to explore options for getting the most value from our non-recyclable waste. Covanta’s EfW facilities offer a proven solution by providing sustainable waste management, maximum diversion from landfill and the generation of renewable energy.

 Covanta Energy is a subsidiary of Covanta Holding Corporation, a publicly traded company (NYSE:CVA).  For more information about our portfolio of companies, please visit investor relations.