In early 2012 CSX put its 30th ultra-low emissions GenSet locomotive into operation. These locomotives, which are quieter and more fuel-efficient than traditional locomotives, use two or three smaller EPA-certified, clean diesel generators instead of a single large diesel engine. The engines activate automatically as needed, which helps improve fuel efficiency by up to 25 percent, the report says.
The company increased the amount of oil it recycled year-on-year by 1.3 percent, but the amount of batteries, steel and crossties recycled dropped 17 percent, 18 percent and 11 percent over that time period.
Hazardous waste production figures were a bright spot in the company’s 2011 sustainability reporting. From 2010 to 2011 the amount of hazardous waste produced by CSX operations dropped almost 54 percent from 138 tons to 64.3 tons. CSX says it is committed to replacing chemicals, paints and cleaners with safer, more environmentally friendly products where possible. Cleaners containing chlorinated solvents and low-flash-point mineral spirits have already been eliminated from the company’s processes, and it is moving away from oil-based paints to water-based, low-VOC paints, the report says. VCSX’s primary sources of hazardous waste include paint-related waste, solvents, traction motor wicks, damaged batteries and damaged fluorescent bulbs. The company’s goal for 2012 is to further reduce hazardous waste generation from normal fixed facility operations by 5 percent.
