Responsible Care® Partner, WTS, a company that specializes in responsible byproduct and waste management, is working to find new uses for materials, through reuse, recycling, or alternative fuel applications, rather than relying on traditional disposal methods, to extend their lifecycle and reduce waste.
In 2024, WTS collaborated with Covestro, focusing on sourcing alternative feedstocks to help Covestro achieve its Scope 3 emissions reduction goals. This involved redirecting materials typically classified as hazardous waste—either through direct reuse from other WTS clients or via reclamation processes with approved commercial partners—to be used as raw materials at one of Covestro’s major industrial sites.
Reuse Success Stories
WTS has also facilitated the direct reuse of over 2.3 million pounds of byproduct solvents through chemical distributor partners that operate under the Alliance for Chemical Distribution’s Responsible Distribution guidelines; an additional 500,000 pounds were reused directly in processes at treatment and disposal facilities, replacing virgin materials; and another long-term client project has enabled reuse of more than 10 million pounds of solvent over five years.
Beyond solvents, WTS found reuse opportunities for aqua ammonia (496,000 pounds), cement and mortar compounds (335,000 pounds), hydrogen peroxide, sodium hydroxide, and various acids. These efforts kept valuable materials in circulation and out of landfills.
Expanded Recycling Programs
WTS has also broadened its recycling capabilities, particularly within the pharmaceutical and personal care sectors. In 2024, the company launched a new recycling program at a pharmaceutical site in the Carolinas, recovering 250,000 pounds of plastic, glass, paper, metal, and cardboard that would have otherwise gone to landfills or incineration. Combined with an existing site, total recycled material for this client reached 1.14 million pounds in just one year.
Alternative Fuels and Resource Preservation
When reuse or recycling isn’t feasible, WTS routes materials to cement kilns and alternative fuel programs. These strategies reduce landfill and incineration dependency while replacing the need for virgin fuels and raw materials. In 2024, WTS diverted over 12 million pounds of materials into these sustainable pathways.
