RECYCLING
In 2002, TXU recycled 2.3 billion pounds of used materials. This total represents about a ten percent reduction from the previous year when the company recycled just over 2.6 billion pounds of used materials. The reduction in used materials is a reflection of slowed economic conditions, as well as the fact that TXU sold two large natural gas-fired generating plants at the beginning of 2002. Of the numerous categories of recycled materials, increases in recycling categories between 2001 and 2002 occurred for drained electrical equipment, lead cable, wood products and lubricating oil.

During the year, TXU recycled three types of materials in significant quantities for the first time. These materials included pipe recovered from gas pipeline operations, off-specification fuel and x-ray film used to check welds on pipeline construction projects. Most recycled material is processed by the company’s central waste management site – the System Operating Services Facility in Lancaster, Texas. The facility also contains its own laboratory, which tests incoming material for contamination.

Reductions in recycled materials were seen in batteries, insulating oil, paper, aluminum cans, scrap metal, crushed drums, anti-freeze and wood chips from our tree-trimming activities. Additionally, TXU encouraged point-of-sale take-back practices