Covanta Waste-to-Energy facility officials announced Monday they have completed upgrades to the plant's pollution control system. The upgrades mean there will be less nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions coming from the plant.
The Alexandria Waste-to-Energy facility in the Eisenhower Valley serves 400,000 residents and businesses in Alexandria City and Arlington County. "It provides reliable and sustainable waste management by combusting non-hazardous household waste at high temperatures, which then generates steam for renewable electricity production," according to the company. "In this way, Covanta processes and converts more than 350,000 tons of waste into energy. This waste would otherwise end up in landfills."
NOx is a poisonous gas. The upgrades at the plant will reduce NOx emissions by about half.
In addition to incinerating waste, the facility also recovers 11,200 tons of metal annually and produces enough energy to power 15,000 homes 24 hours a day, seven days a week for a year. Residents can take a virtual tour of the facility here.
