Valero remains focused on reducing the generation of wastes across air, water and solid streams.
Waste Management
Reducing at the source and reusing, recycling and repurposing of materials are key components of our waste reduction program. In 2023, Valero implemented a customized Waste Navigator database across its U.S. refining fleet. The database tracks waste from generation to ultimate disposition, driving standardized waste management practices and systemic improvements in waste reduction, reuse and recycling. In addition, the database allows closer oversight of disposal vendors.
91% of all refinery hazardous and exempted waste was recycled in 2025.*
Hazardous Waste In 2025, more than 54 million pounds of catalyst were recycled to recover valuable metals. Valero’s hazardous waste management program includes regular waste reviews, risk assessments, waste stream prioritization and formal personnel training programs. Every operating site follows specific expectations on the handling and recycling of hazardous wastes as specified in CTEMS.
Spill Prevention Valero is focused on reducing spills across our operations to protect our people and the environment, always with the goal of zero spills. Our commitment to reducing environmental scorecard incidents is a top priority and is strengthened by the inclusion of this metric in the all-employee bonus calculation. The environmental scorecard incidents metric is weighted to the intensity of incidents, with greater impact for more significant events, including the severity of spills.
*Refinery hazardous and exempted waste is solid waste as defined by the U.S. EPA, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
What Fuels Us
We care about the environment, our employees and the communities where we work and live.
Best-in-class environmental performance through capital investments in sustaining operations as part of our commitment to safety, reliability, preventive maintenance and environmentally responsible operations.