Dive Brief:

• Utility provider Consumers Energy has a long-term business plan that includes eliminating 1 million cubic yards of landfill waste from the waste stream through 2019's close.
• It will amp up recycling and other conservation efforts, removing twice the amount of waste from the landfill waste stream.
• In 1992, Consumers Energy started a waste minimization program, and has recycled at least 700,000 cubic yards of waste since its launch. The efforts helped the company save $14 million in landfill costs.

Dive Insight:

The fact that utility providers across the nation are committing to a variety of renewable energy sources, technologies, and green efforts is good news for the environment and its most important inhabitant, people. But following the money gives a closer look: Consumer Energy’s eco-friendly efforts saved the electric and natural gas utility $14 million over the past 13 years. That’s more than a million dollars per year in savings; ample proof to show others that ecologically sound business practices can also greatly improve a company’s bottom line.