General Motors has marked another milestone in its effort to keep its operations efficient and green. The automaker has reached a record number of landfill-free sites, for a grand total of 152 facilities that produce no garbage. The milestone is significant because GM has met its goal four years early.
The total includes 52 non-manufacturing sites and 100 manufacturing facilities across the globe and span numerous collaborations to find new ways to use waste. Some of the initiatives include turning water bottles into engine cover insulation and turning old tires into air-deflecting baffles.
In all, GM now reuses 2 million metric tons of byproducts a year. For some perspective, if someone were to place that material into the beds of Chevrolet Silverado extended-cab pickup trucks and park them end to end, they would stretch around the world.
“We view sustainability as a business approach,” said John Bradburn, GM global manager of Waste Reduction. “We look at ways we can grow and strengthen our business for the long term, and that often means reducing our environmental footprint while maximizing social benefit.”
Looking forward, GM will continue to search for new and innovative ways to reduce waste and continues to mentor 25 companies on its business case for zero waste.
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