Recycling

Recycling is one of the cornerstones of our environmental program, and it has become an everyday part of our employees' lives while at NASSCO.

In 2010, NASSCO's new in-house segregation line and Recycling Center came online. In the first year, the Center recycled 16 tons of paper and 39 tons of plastic, and diverted 234 tons of recyclable material from our local landfill. But our recycling activities don't end there. Excess fuel must be removed from vessels that enter the shipyard for repair; each year, more than 125,000 gallons of fuel are removed, tested and reused. We also collect and reuse up to 7,000 tons of grit used in sandblasting annually. At the end of its useful service life, blast material is recycled into additives for cement and other applications.

In 2010, the company's recycling initiatives led to an 81 percent recycling of the 33,294 tons (or 66.6 million pounds) of trash generated by the shipyard. NASSCO's 81 percent recycling rate in 2010 surpassed the company's objective of 79 percent recycling, a goal that the shipyard is working diligently to beat again this year. NASSCO recycles items including ferrous and non-ferrous metals, paper, cardboard, oil, plastic, electronic waste and rags. In addition, the company's recycling and trash compaction lines have reduced large trash truck hauls to the Otay Mesa landfill from six truck hauls per day to just one. These efforts not only help extend the life of San Diego's landfills, but reduces NASSCO's carbon footprint on the community.