The Wheelabrator Portsmouth waste-to-energy facility provides dependable, environmentally safe disposal of up to 2,370 tons per day of post-recycled waste from homes and businesses in Portsmouth, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Franklin, Suffolk, Southampton County and Isle of Wight County in Virginia. The facility uses the waste as a local fuel to generate 60 MW of clean, renewable electricity for the local utility. This local-energy ecosystem provides power for the equivalent of 16,187 Virginia homes as well as its own operations. In addition, the facility provides steam to meet the needs of the neighboring U. S. Navy shipyard in Norfolk.

As part of its commitment to a clean environment, Wheelabrator has a strong partnership with the Elizabeth River Project (ERP), the leading environmental organization in Hampton Roads.

In addition to being a member of its River Star Program, where it is recognized annually for its environmental initiatives, Wheelabrator Portsmouth also supported ERP's efforts to revitalize Paradise Creek Nature Park, a joint initiative between the ERP, the City of Portsmouth and the Virginia Port Authority.

Through Wheelabrator Portsmouth’s support, Hampton Roads residents now enjoy 40 acres of land with trails, footbridges and benches that bisect the restored forest and emerging wetlands.The recreation area is located just a short distance from Wheelabrator Portsmouth’s facility, symbolizing that industry and nature can co-exist.

Wheelabrator Portsmouth is also committed to educating students on the importance of environmental stewardship and does so by partnering with students from local middle schools on environmental projects.

Other community organizations supported by Wheelabrator Portsmouth include the Cradock Civic League, Virginia Aquarium, and Virginia Sports Hall of Fame & Museum, to name a few.

“Wheelabrator Portsmouth and its employees are exemplary in every way. We’ve seen a lot of paradigm shifts and this one is certainly up there as one of the most significant turnarounds of a very complex industry.”
- Pam Boatwright, River Star Program Manager, Elizabeth River Project