GM, Supplier Converts Unused Shipping Crates Into Cadillac Urban Gardens

Cadillac Urban Gardens is the result of taking 250 shipping crates from GM’s Orion Assembly plant and converting them to raised garden beds in the midst of southwest Detroit. The community project provides a once-abandoned parking lot with the opportunity to supply nearby residents with nutritious vegetables grown right in their backyard.

Rather than recycling the crates from Orion, home of the Buick Verano and Chevrolet Sonic, it’s easier to simply reuse them — a practice that saves energy and resources. The project is the result of a collaboration between eight-time GM Supplier of the Year Ideal Group and compositing company Detroit Dirt. Interestingly, the soil supplied by Detroit Dirt has numerous local sources, including the Detroit Zoo animal manure, Astro Café coffee grounds, as well as composted food scraps from the Marriott Hotel in GM’s world HQ and GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant, home of the Chevy Volt.

“Our mission is to create a space that promotes the health and security of our community,” said Frank Venegas, Ideal Group chairman. “Cadillac Urban Gardens is producing vegetables, community health and growth. This vision came true with fast action on the part of our collaborative partners. In four short months, we are well on our way to linking sustainability with producing community growth.”