Powers of Example: People, Plants and Teams Supporting LRE Recycling Plan

Sustainability in all we do is a key value driving LRE’s actions every day. That value now includes a purpose-driven commitment to enhancing recycling efforts at our operating and construction facilities.

In mid-2025, the Operations and Environmental Management teams worked cross-functionally to develop a company-wide recycling plan. This plan will guide the organization’s commitment to reducing the amount of waste going to landfills. According to Brooke Akins, Sr. Manager of LRE’s ESG group, the recycling plan has been approved, and work is underway to develop actionable efforts at the project and construction levels.

“Recycling was already a part of our sustainability efforts across the company,” Brooke noted. “But we are always striving to do more. This plan enhances and formalizes our commitment to doing the right thing.”

Implementing the recycling plan is an effort driven by LRE’s obligation to sustainability, Akins added, and a reflection of the expectations of employees, customers, and financial partners. “Recycling is part of our overall efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change as well as protect finite natural resources, which is why this aligns with so many of our stakeholders and their goals.”

As LRE works to implement its recycling plan, projects and people across offices and the operating fleet are demonstrating how the company’s passion for reusing, repurposing and recycling are already being pursued.

LRE Environmental Manager Bob Williams is one good example. His role in the recycling plan effort is to first determine how to measure LRE’s current recycling efforts, then use that baseline information to help implement the new plan.

“Right now, we’re working to capture information,” he said. “Recycling at our projects isn’t a new effort, we’re already doing a lot. But we need to determine what steps we’re currently taking and use that information to institutionalize our efforts.”

“Operating and construction sites are the real focus because that’s where we have the largest opportunity. We’re currently looking at how we treat things like BESS batteries, turbine blades, solar panels and wood pallets. Then we’re looking at how we can repurpose them. This isn’t just an effort, it’s a program. Our goal is to be a top tier sustainability leader, and this recycling plan is another step toward getting us there.”

As important as recycling is at the project level, recycling is also a focal point at the company’s corporate headquarters in Dallas.

LRE Turbine Performance Engineer Jackson Russo is a member of LRE’s Sustainability Network Employee Resource Group (ERG) and a self-described recycling advocate who shares his passion within the company.

In addition to taking personal sustainability measures such as riding his bike to work each day instead of driving, Russo is regularly suggesting ways to reduce and better manage office waste. He’s weighed the plastic bags in office trash cans which are changed every day to determine how much plastic is wasted. He’s suggested recycling waste cans be placed at every desk and the use of communal trash cans. He’s also shared his recycling commitment by developing and presenting a talk to the Sustainability Network ERG on recycling best practices for home and office.

“I always wanted to work in renewables. It’s always been my dream industry,” Jackson noted. “Working for LRE, it just makes sense to share my passion for recycling.”

“Everyone can help the planet by doing something, every choice we make can affect the environment.  You can change minds by getting people to think about recycling. I’m just trying to do my part.”

Finally, there’s Duane Yee, Plant Manager at the Kumeyaay Wind project near San Diego, and the acknowledged LRE King of Recycling.

Essentially, every waste product at Kumeyaay Wind that can potentially be recycled is. That covers everything from plastics to paper and cardboard, wood crates to fluorescent lights, batteries to empty oil drums.  Under his plant program, Kumeyaay Wind has reduced its waste disposal costs by 75 percent. Instead of the plant’s dumpster being emptied every week, it’s now only required once a month, and even then, it’s barely one-third full.

“If it’s recyclable, we recycle it,” Duane said. “It’s a matter of making the effort and being sure everyone on site is bought in. I audit what’s being thrown away so people don’t have a chance to ignore our commitment.”

Duane admits that the state of California has different recycling regulations than elsewhere in the country but recycling still requires an effort. “We take things to different places for recycling. Some of them go to a transfer station, others to individual recycling companies, and we even take the empty printer ink cartridges to Office Depot,” he said. “It’s well worth the effort.”

 “I do this out of a moral obligation, doing what’s right,” Duane concluded. “I’m well aware of the company’s commitment to recycling and I want to do the right thing. At Kumeyaay Wind we want to be a part of the solution, not part of the problem.”

The LRE recycling plan is expected to be fully researched and implanted across the fleet by 2026.

About LRE

Founded in Texas in 2003, LRE (Leeward Renewable Energy) owns and operates 30+ wind, solar, and energy storage projects totaling over 4GW nationwide. LRE continues to help meet increased U.S. energy demand through our robust pipeline of new projects every year. We prioritize domestic jobs, local community partnerships, and protecting the land in our long-term approach to meet American energy needs. To learn more, visit www.lreus.com.