OUR IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT
Our processes have been designed to operate in the most environmentally-friendly way possible, as we are deeply committed to providing sustainable solutions to our customers. Norlite is unique in the marketplace for embracing the circular economy: we use waste generated by other manufacturing industries as a source of fuel in our production process to create lightweight aggregate.
The circularity of our process has a double-sided positive impact on the environment. On one side, powering our kilns with waste helps us avoid the use of coal in our manufacturing process, which is the most common source of fuel in the industry and one of the major contributors to carbon emissions in the country. Through this practice, we reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of our operation, contributing locally to the fight against climate change. On the other side, Norlite makes it possible for the waste of other companies to be used to make another product, instead of being landfilled or destroyed without further use.
In 2021 alone, our facility leveraged approximately 14 million pounds of waste as a source of fuel, that had been generated by local industries including pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and consumer products manufacturing, as well as local schools, colleges, and government agencies.
Operating under strict compliance to regulatory standards.
At Norlite, we recognize our responsibility to protect the environment and our community and are committed to achieving outstanding environmental results. All of our operations are conducted under close supervision by environmental regulatory authorities.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. EPA have granted Norlite permits that allow us to accept waste but strictly limit what can be processed and emitted from our facility and in what quantities. These permits govern our acceptance, assessment, monitoring and reporting of the materials we manage, as well as the manner and processes by which those materials are handled and used. Norlite is now seeking a routine renewal of its existing Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Part 373 Permit and Title V Air Permit. No modifications or changes are being requested.
We control our processes through the best available technology to ensure that our emissions and discharges are below the strict limits set in our permits. We not only comply with these limits, we invest heavily in our facility to protect the environment and our community. In 2021 we voluntarily invested $30-million to implement a state-of-the art emission control system, eliminate permitted cooling water discharges to the Mohawk River and improve system operations and efficiency.
Norlite’s ability to make socially useful and environmentally sound products and provide jobs and other benefits to the community is premised on adherence to strict regulatory standards.
DOCUMENTS & PERMITS
Check out our permits, renewals and other related documents in the link below.