In the PGE Capital Group, we strive to fully utilize the by-products of the processes of lignite combustion and flue-gas desulphurization. Each of the conventional power plants belonging to the PGE Capital Group is involved in a furnace by-products economic utilization programme. Furnace waste such as ash and slag is used, among other things, as an additive in the production of construction materials and road-building. Thanks to its properties, ash is used as a raw material in the production of cellular concrete. The remaining volume of ash is used in the rehabilitation of the lignite mine's former excavations.
Gypsum is a by-product of the operation of flue-gas desulphurization plants based on the wet method. Because of its good physical and chemical parameters, gypsum is used in the production of plasterboards. All produced gypsum is utilized, hence there is no need to store its surplus. The other by-products generated in our plants are collected selectively, and subsequently sold as secondary raw materials or neutralized. Sediments from the mechanical and chemical industrial sewage treatment plants are used in the production of cement. Used oils are returned to refineries, while ferrous and non-ferrous scrap is recycled as secondary raw material. Hazardous waste such as used batteries, mercury-vapour lamps, fluorescent lamps are sent to specialist enterprises for further neutralization.
Both lignite mines keep quantitative and qualitative records of generated waste (the waste management programme); this is to ensure supervision and control of waste generation, handling and recycling, as well as the payment of due fees. We are also proud of our pro-ecological utilization of raw materials present in the overburden removed in our lignite mines; e.g. lacustrine chalk is used in the production of calcium carbonate fertilizer.
In 2008, within the framework of waste management at PGE KWB Bełchatów S.A., a separate quarter of the waste disposal site was allocated for the selective storage of rubber waste. In turn, at PGE KWB Turów S.A., waste management activities were concentrated last year on the reduction of generated waste, the recycling of secondary raw materials, and the neutralization of hazardous waste in accordance with the provisions of the law.