Success story: AXIA Energia earns Gold Level Zero Waste Certification

AXIA Energia consolidates its leadership on the global sustainability agenda. In this context, the Santo Antônio Hydroelectric Plant — on the Madeira river, in Porto Velho (Rondônia) — has won the prestigious International Certification of the Zero Waste Management System (SGZW).

This international standard, governed under the criteria of Global Zero Waste, is officially represented in Brazil by Zeros. The mark was awarded after a rigorous technical audit carried out by an independent certification body, which validated the soundness, transparency and effectiveness of the plant's entire internal management system.

As a direct result of this strategy, the site recorded a Real Recycling Rate of 100%, reaching Gold Level, the highest tier of this accreditation. With this milestone, the Santo Antônio Hydroelectric Plant becomes the first hydroelectric plant in Brazil to receive this recognition, positioning itself as a national benchmark for the electricity sector.

Why the Zero Waste certification matters

Earning this technical certification demonstrates the maturity of the company's waste management processes. The model in place rests on three key pillars:

• Reducing waste generation at source.
• Efficient segregation and rigorous sorting of materials.
• Full traceability, ensuring every waste stream receives the appropriate final destination.

Thanks to this approach, the operation not only significantly mitigates environmental risks but increases its operational efficiency. The achievement also reinforces AXIA Energia's commitment to the circular economy and to embedding ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) criteria.

A direct contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This project has a positive impact on the global sustainability targets:

• SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy.
• SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure.
• SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities.
• SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production.
• SDG 13: Climate action.

Operational structure: efficiency and regulatory compliance

Since 2016, the plant has run its own Waste Treatment and Final Disposal Centre. Over this decade, the team has kept up rigorous management aligned with Brazil's National Solid Waste Policy (Law 12,305/2010).

During 2025 alone, the operation managed and correctly allocated 153 tonnes of waste of Class I (hazardous) and Class II (non-hazardous). The specialist team carries out prior sorting to make sure each material goes to recycling, composting or safe disposal as appropriate.

Operational success also comes with environmental education programmes, providing ongoing training to around a thousand plant professionals on the correct separation of waste.

Key infrastructure at the complex:

• Organic recovery unit: able to process up to 3.5 tonnes of organic waste a month, turning it into high-quality compost for growing local plants.
• Safe storage areas: dedicated bays for hazardous waste that strictly comply with the Brazilian technical standard ABNT NBR 12,235:1992.
• A dedicated Recycling Centre inside the Santo Antônio plant itself.

Social impact and shared value

Beyond the obvious ecological indicators, AXIA Energia's sustainability strategy delivers a direct social benefit in the Rondônia region.

The hydroelectric plant maintains a long-term strategic partnership with the Catanorte Recyclers Cooperative (Cooperativa Rondoniense de Catadores e Catadoras). Through this agreement, materials such as paper, plastic, glass and rubber are actively reinserted into the local production chain.

Since this collaboration began in 2017, the plant has delivered more than 200 tonnes of recyclable materials to the cooperative, translating into a stable source of income for around 43 member families.

Together, these efforts show that structured operational management, combined with constant training and shared responsibility, not only strengthens organisations' environmental performance but adds reputational value that is indispensable for the future of the international energy sector.

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