Bridgestone Americas Inc. showcased its innovation and achievements in sustainable manufacturing at the “Sustainability in Manufacturing: Sharing Environmental, Energy and Waste Reduction Practices” event hosted by the NCEast Alliance.
Held in Wilson, N.C., the event brought together business leaders and manufacturers to highlight efficiency and sustainability programs that reduce the environmental impact of businesses. Michael Darr, Bridgestone Wilson plant manager, shared details of the plant’s achievement of the world’s first Zero Waste to Landfill claim validation from UL Environment (UL) during a panel discussion with other manufacturers.
“Developing and implementing sustainable manufacturing practices is an essential part of doing business today. Important events like this allow Bridgestone and other manufacturers to not only highlight the innovative work we are doing to drive more sustainable manufacturing processes, but to collaborate and share best practices as well,” said Darr. “It is this sort of collaboration and information sharing that ultimately will drive real action in this critical area. We’re proud to be a leader in this important work.”
During the panel discussion, Darr shared the sustainability journey of the Wilson passenger and light truck tire plant, including the 2014 award of the highest claim validation for landfill waste diversion from UL. The Wilson plant is the first facility of any kind to receive this designation. The plant also earned ISO 50001 certification for superior energy performance, an international standard specifying requirements for industrial Energy Management Systems. Additionally, the plant eliminated volatile organic compounds (VOCs), organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure and are released in the air, by switching from solvent-based parts washers to solvent-free alternatives plant-wide.
In addition to Darr’s participation in the panel event, Bridgestone Director of Environmental Management, Greer Tidwell, offered a Sustainability Workshop, during which attendees explored the details of developing a sustainability plan in a manufacturing setting. Bridgestone also hosted tours of its Wilson plant for attendees.
All of Bridgestone's sustainability initiatives are aligned under the One Team, One Planet sustainability platform. For additional information about the company’s One Team, One Planet environmental activities, or the environmental mission of Bridgestone, visit www.BridgestoneAmericas.com.
