Waste Management
Copel has a waste management process that aims to promote the correct management of solid waste, from generation to final disposal; prevent negative environmental impacts and maximize the positive ones, meeting the legal requirements and the conditions of the environmental licensing of the projects.
As established by the National Solid Waste Policy, the Company has a Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) for its projects, thus shaping macro policies for the specifics of each location. Management related to solid waste involves periodically reviewing legal requirements and environmental conditions, identifying good practices and opportunities in the sector, planning activities, verifying compliance and constantly improving the process.
The amount of waste generated is periodically monitored through control systems. These residues are stored in specific locations until they are disposed of.
For the destination of recyclable administrative waste, priority is given to delivery to associations of recyclable material collectors, through Solidarity Selective Collection, while for organic material, the priority is composting.
Solid Waste Management Manual
Waste Generation
The main waste generated in the Company’s operations are: copper and aluminum cables, poles, concrete crosses, ceramic insulators, batteries, insulating mineral oil, pruning waste and also useless equipment, such as: transformers, voltage regulators, circuit breakers and the like.
The waste generated in the implementation of new ventures is managed by the company hired to carry out the work. In these cases, Copel requires the presentation and approval of the Civil Construction Waste Management Plan – PGRCC and, at the end of the work, the presentation of the management report, proving the execution of the plan and compiling the transport manifests, certificates of final destination and environmental licenses.
In administrative activities, organic waste and tailings are sent through composting, contracting or municipal collection and recyclable waste is donated to recycling cooperatives, through the Solidary Selective Collection program.
Manual for Transporting Hazardous Substances
Waste Destination
The destination of the waste generated by the Company is carried out giving priority to the reuse and recycling processes, as recommended by the National Solid Waste Policy.
For waste that presents some characteristic that represents a risk to public health and the environment, the final destination is made for contracted companies that prove technical qualification and environmental licensing.
The table below shows the main waste generated in operating activities of Copel Distribuição and the methods of final disposal adopted.
| Residue | Final Destination Method |
| PCB-contaminated waste | Decontamination and/or Incineration |
Network transformers and other operating equipment | Recycling |
| Batteries | Recycling |
Soil and gravel contaminated by insulating mineral oil | Co-processing and/or Landfill for Class I waste |
| Concrete posts and crosspieces | Recycling |
| Meters | Recycling |
| Insulators | Recycling |
| Concrete crosshead | Recycling |
| Aluminum scrap | Recycling |
| Iron/steel scrap | Recycling |
| Copper scrap | Recycling |
| Pruning Waste | Composting and/or Landfill for Class II waste |
Copel’s solid waste recycling process is in line with the principles of sustainable development, as it allows for a reduction in the consumption of raw materials and guarantees income for members of cooperatives or associations of recyclable material collectors who participate in the Solidary Selective Collection, in compliance with State Decree No. 8.426/2017.
The cleaning teams that work in the Company’s buildings undergo training so that the segregation of waste is done correctly and employees are instructed on the correct separation of waste in collectors identified in accordance with CONAMA Resolution No. 275/2001.
At Copel, waste that has commercial value (metal scrap, batteries, unused equipment, used lubricating and insulating oils) is not discarded, but sold at auction, in public processes that can be monitored through public notices published by the Company.
The disposal process has the objective of forwarding unused waste, materials and equipment that still have the capacity to use and add economic value, often returning, through recycling, to various production chains.
The organic material, produced in cafeterias and officers on Copel’s facilities is directed to composting techniques, whereby the waste is managed and used as fertilizer (compost) in the production of seedlings and fertilization of existent beds and gardens in some of Copel’s areas.
In addition, plant residues from tree pruning activities under the power distribution network are destined for external composting.
The maintenance activities of the plants and substations generate class I waste – considered as hazardous, which for the majority have composition and calorific potential for disposal through the co-processing technique.
These residues are collected by companies hired especially for this purpose and are sent to clinker production furnaces, in the production of cement, thus taking advantage of the energy contained in these materials and providing enormous environmental gains.
In the bidding and contracting processes, Copel defines the technical qualification and specific documentary requirements to be met, as well as the legal requirements, among which issues related to solid waste are considered.
As an example, the case of contractors in relation to civil works can be cited, in which service providers must comply with the contractual clause that requires the correct destination of civil construction waste, present and implement a Civil Construction Waste Management Plan (PGRCC), as well as, after completion of the work, the Final Report.
Likewise, when hiring transport companies and final disposal of waste, proof of technical regularity and the relevant environmental documentation are required.
The Company guides and requests prioritization regarding the use of waste, recycling, donations and various treatment techniques, when there are no environmentally and economically viable alternatives, disposal is in industrial landfills, however, in an exceptional way.
