GM Aims For Zero Waste

Auto Manufacturer Ramping Up Recycling Efforts

General Motors is doing more than just preaching environmental consciousness.  Their initiatives and numbers show they are are serious about their recycling efforts. GM is looking to step up their eco friendly efforts

The company’s goal, first stated in 2008, is for zero waste at half of its operations by the end of 2010.  As it stands, well on their way there.  According to John Bradburn, project manager for GM’s Design for Environment initiatives, 69 of the company’s plants worldwide are now landfill-free (up from 62, and 43 percent of production, in May).

"G.M. should be congratulated for an excellent result. The company is a leader,” said Larry Chalfan, founder and senior adviser of the Zero Waste Alliance,

Here are some of the recycling programs involving GM’s manufacturing operations:  

• Old bumpers: They’re ground up and form new air inlet panels for such cars as the Chevy Camaro, Impala and Traverse, as well as the Cadillac CTS and CTS coupe.
• Worn carpets: The GMC Acadia takes the nylon and remakes it into mirror frames, fascia brackets and door handle parts.  
• Used water bottles: The Cadillac SRX uses bottles and milk jugs in its air conditioning and heating vent covers. The Chevy Volt uses them in baffles along with recycled tires. Recycled stuff also goes into engine fans and shrouds, splash shields and dash insulators.  
• Cardboard. Used material from GM’s stamping pads are made into acoustic pads for the Buick Lacrosse’s headliner. That’s a 25 to 45 percent savings for GM, and it diverts the cardboard from the landfill.  
• Paint sludge. This muck is one of the biggest pollutants auto plants produce, and GM is using it as filler in the making of reusable shipping containers.

For further evidence, watch this video on green friendly production of the Buick Lacrosse: