Sustainability

In September of 2019, PS&E made the sustainable decision to send its waste that is not deemed recyclable to the Covanta facility in Indianapolis. This facility works to burn municipal solids waste from the city to help power the city. The steam generated from burning the city’s trash is used to heat sidewalks, provide energy to large corporations downtown, and help power many other city entities. This new initiative will annually divert more than 400 tons of trash from landfills to a landfill-free, waste-to-energy facility.

We continue our efforts to recycle commodities such as cardboard, plastic, aluminum, glass, and various other recyclable materials. However, some trash cannot be recycled and therefore, will go to Covanta, a landfill-free, waste-to-energy option.

PS&E began recycling cardboard in 2016. On average, we recycle 12,000 pounds of cardboard each month.

In addition to cardboard, PS&E has also been recycling aluminum cans, glass, and plastic bottles for over three years and counting. On average, we recycle 4,000 pounds of recyclables each month.

When no longer needed, PS&E’s confidential documents are designated for shredding. The shredded paper is then sent to a paper mill to create fresh, new paper products. Since Jan. 1, 2016, PS&E has shredded and recycled nearly 14,000 pounds of paper, which is the equivalent of 122 trees saved.

For the 2019-20 Pacers season, and all future Gainbridge Fieldhouse events, PS&E will eliminate plastic drinking straws. These straws have been replaced with ECO Products-brand straws made from Ingeo^TM, a product of polylactic acid (PLA), or “corn plastic.” PLA is derived from starchy plants like corn, potatoes, tapioca, sugarcane, and soy protein. In the U.S., PLA is typically made from corn kernels that are milled and process to extract the starch, which is then converted into plastic.