Two of the nine North American tire manufacturing facilities operated by Bridgestone Americas Inc. send no waste to landfills. The company’s Aiken, S.C., plant was the first to achieve zero waste to landfill, starting in December 2012. The Wilson, N.C., plant reached the zero-waste-to-landfill mark in early 2013.
The company says progress to eliminate unnecessary use of landfills started with significant reductions of wastes. In 2006, Bridgestone focused on finding uses for remaining landfilled materials.
“The teams at our Aiken and Wilson plants worked hard, and they take pride in being first to achieve zero waste to landfill. They know that our other plants are close on their heels,” said Barry Owens, vice president, Bridgestone Americas Manufacturing Group.
The plants’ zero waste to landfill efforts include all the waste materials from manufacturing processes such as whole scrap tires, rubber components and packaging, as well as ancillary support processes such as offices and cafeterias. Waste at these facilities is sent to various beneficial-use markets, such as generating energy and recycling into other products, like mulch.
Since adding its corporate recycling focus in 2006, recycling by the company’s Aiken, S.C.; Bloomington, Ill.; Des Moines, Iowa; Joliette, Quebec, Canada; LaVergne, Tenn.; Monterrey, Mexico; Warren, Tenn.; and Wilson, N.C., tire plants has progressed from nearly half going to landfill to less than 15% overall today.
“One Team, One Planet” is the overarching program for all of Bridgestone's environmental activities. For more information, visit the company’s website.
