Veolia’s Strategic Expansion in Hazardous Waste Management Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals

Overview of Targeted Acquisitions

In the first half of 2025, Veolia has undertaken significant strategic actions to enhance its hazardous waste management capabilities through five tuck-in acquisitions. These acquisitions, with a combined enterprise value of approximately €300 million, add an operational treatment capacity of 100,000 tonnes. This expansion supports multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Regional Expansion and Impact

1. United States

   • Northeast Region (Massachusetts): Acquisition of New England Disposal Technologies, including a hazardous waste treatment site and emergency response operations.
   • Medical Waste Treatment: Integration of Massachusetts’ only permitted medical waste treatment and storage facility, formerly New England MedWaste, enhancing compliance with stringent regional regulations.
   • West Coast (California): Acquisition of Ingenium, a major platform offering packaging, logistics, and multi-stream treatment services for hazardous, biological, and radioactive waste.

   These expansions improve Veolia’s capacity to provide sustainable waste management solutions in high-demand and regulated markets, advancing SDG 3 by reducing health risks and SDG 12 through responsible waste treatment.

2. Japan

   • Acquisition of Zeeklite Co. LTD, operator of one of Japan’s largest private landfills located in Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture.
   • Specialization in disposal of hazardous waste, general industrial waste, and contaminated soil.

   This acquisition enhances Veolia’s integrated waste management services in Japan, contributing to SDG 9 by fostering sustainable industrial infrastructure and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through improved waste disposal practices.

3. Brazil

   • Acquisition of Alagoas Ambiental, which operates a licensed hazardous waste landfill in the industrial hub of Alagoas state.
   • Strengthening compliant final disposal capacity in a region with limited permitted infrastructure.

   This expansion supports SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 12 by promoting environmentally sound waste disposal and sustainable industrial development in Northeast Brazil.

Conclusion

Veolia’s €300 million investment in targeted acquisitions across the United States, Japan, and Brazil significantly enhances its hazardous waste treatment capacity and technical expertise. These strategic moves align closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by promoting health, environmental protection, sustainable industrial innovation, and responsible consumption and production. Veolia’s expanded regional presence and integrated waste management solutions demonstrate its commitment to advancing global sustainability objectives through effective hazardous waste management.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – The article discusses hazardous waste treatment and disposal, which is crucial for preventing water pollution and ensuring clean water resources.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The acquisitions enhance technical specialization, treatment capacity, and infrastructure for hazardous waste management.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – By improving hazardous waste management, the article relates to making cities and human settlements safer and more sustainable.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The focus on hazardous waste treatment and disposal aligns with sustainable management and reduction of waste generation.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action – Proper hazardous waste management reduces environmental contamination and supports climate resilience indirectly.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 6
   • Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution, minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
2. SDG 9
   • Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies.
3. SDG 11
   • Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
4. SDG 12
   • Target 12.4: Achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle.
   • Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
5. SDG 13
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicator for SDG 6.3: Proportion of wastewater safely treated and proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality. The article’s mention of hazardous waste treatment capacity and medical waste facilities implies measurement of treatment volumes and compliance with safety standards.
2. Indicator for SDG 9.4: CO2 emission per unit of value added, and proportion of industries using clean technologies. The article’s emphasis on technical specialization and expanded treatment capacity suggests monitoring infrastructure upgrades and technology adoption.
3. Indicator for SDG 11.6: Municipal waste collected and managed in controlled facilities. The acquisitions of landfills and treatment sites imply tracking waste disposal volumes and environmental compliance.
4. Indicator for SDG 12.4 and 12.5: Hazardous waste generated and managed, recycling rates, and waste reduction metrics. The article’s focus on hazardous waste landfill operations and treatment capacity supports these indicators.
5. Indicator for SDG 13.1: Number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies. While not explicitly mentioned, improved hazardous waste management contributes to resilience against environmental hazards.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: veolia.com