• LG Energy Solution’s ESG management and resource circulation system transition exemplify its dedication to sustainability, including the pursuit of zero-waste.
• The company strives for zero-waste through pioneering waste management initiatives, employing innovative solutions to minimize environmental impact.

[International Day of Zero Waste Special]

Every year on March 30, the world observes International Day of Zero Waste to highlight global waste challenges and promote sustainable practices. Recognized by the United Nations (UN) as a day of global significance, this day promotes practices that support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

This annual movement also serves as a poignant reminder of the alarming statistics surrounding waste generation. According to UN-Habitat, humanity produces between 2.1 billion and 2.3 billion tons of municipal solid waste per year, with 2.7 billion people having no access to waste collection services. Without urgent action, waste could turn into an unprecedented 3.8 billion tons by 2050.

With this in mind, LG Energy Solution is introducing zero-waste approaches and management systems that pay respect to the significance of responsible waste management and minimizing waste generation to conserve the environment. To lead the fight against waste, LG Energy Solution advocates for less waste incineration and landfilling while promoting waste recycling at its global facilities for the creation of a resource circulation system.

LG Energy Solution’s facilities are undertaking waste recycling initiatives to reach its ‘Zero Waste To Landfill’ goal. All three plants in Nanjing, China, have been awarded platinum-grade certification by Underwriters Laboratories (UL)^[1], an international safety certification testing organization, for its 100% resource circulation rate, while its Ochang Energy Plant in Korea has received the gold-grade certification for exceeding 90%.

On the other side of the world, LG Energy Solution’s U.S. facility attained National Sanitation Foundation (NSF)’s “Landfill Zero” certification since 2018, indicating that its landfill waste constitutes less than 1% of total waste generated.

Reducing Waste Incineration
LG Energy Solution’s commitment to sustainability extends to waste management practices, particularly waste incineration. At its facilities in Nanjing, China, cutting-edge technologies have been implemented to alleviate the amount of anode wastewater produced during battery production. Operation conditions of the in-house wastewater treatment plant have also been optimized, including adjustments in coagulant mixing, to significantly enhance wastewater treatment efficiency.

Reducing Hazardous Waste
Also, LG Energy Solution’s facilities in Nanjing, Ochang and Wroclaw (Poland) are at the forefront of environmental sustainability with pioneering innovative solutions that effectively manage hazardous waste. With a focus on recycling the NMP (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone) solvent found in electrode materials, constituting 85% of hazardous waste, these efforts have been pivotal to its waste management strategies. Through lab-scale tests and advanced technologies like film evaporation, NMP recycling efficiency has surged from 80% to an impressive 97%.

To better manage its battery waste, LG Energy Solution implements robust systems and innovative technologies. With comprehensive waste information and management systems as well as dedicated recycling facilities, battery waste is handled with care. This level of environmental protection and resource recycling raises the bar for battery waste management.

LG Energy Solution is committed to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), recognizing their significance in global sustainability efforts. This global initiative spreads the word that zero-waste is crucial for our planet, inspiring LG Energy Solution to continue in its pursuit of practical and sustainable efforts that help the world achieve its ambitious goals.

Finally, by promoting zero-waste initiatives, LG Energy Solution contributes to the broader aims of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In the future, it hopes to drive the transition to a resource circulation system through its waste reduction and recycling efforts.

[1] Landfill Waste Certification by Underwriters Laboratories (UL)