GM To Be Inducted Into U.S. EPA WasteWise Hall Of Fame

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FOR RELEASE: 2004-10-13

GM To Be Inducted Into U.S. EPA WasteWise Hall Of Fame


DETROIT - General Motors will be inducted into the U.S. EPA WasteWise Hall of Fame in recognition of 10 years of successful waste reduction accomplishments. This induction marks the fourth consecutive year that the corporation has been recognized by the EPA for its successful waste reduction and recycling practices.

After joining WasteWise as a charter partner in 1994, GM distinguished itself by implementing innovative waste reduction activities and encouraging its suppliers to do the same.

"In the U.S., from 1998 to 2003, GM facilities reduced its WasteWise-targeted waste by 37 percent," said Skiven.

WasteWise-targeted wastes are identified as metal scrap, cardboard, wood, plastics, glass, ash and office paper, among other materials.

GM's Resource Management Program (RM)-a strategic alternative for disposal contracting that aligns a waste hauler's financial incentives with a facility's waste reduction goals-is a key strategy in helping GM achieve its waste reduction and recycling goals. RM is now in place at 94 percent of GM's North American facilities.

"Our facility Resource Managers are continually working within their on-site teams to find ways to reduce, reuse and recycle plant waste streams," said Skiven.

For example, in 2003, GM's U.S. facilities produced 62,675 tons fewer wastes designated under the WasteWise Program than in the previous year. GM facilities also reused 245,893 tons of these wastes within their own operations and recycled 2.01 million tons on the open markets.

Due to these waste prevention and recycling efforts, in 2003, GM U.S. facilities reduced greenhouse gas emissions equal to the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by 40,500 acres of established, rapidly growing trees.

GM is also is being lauded for recognizing the importance of purchasing recycled products. Because recycling is only effective if there are markets for recycled products, GM strives to increase the recycled content of materials in vehicle components, such as headliners, door trim, instrument panels, bumpers, seats and molding. For example, more than 27,000 pounds of recycled rubber were used in the radiator side baffles on the 2004 Cadillac SRX, which prevented 2,000 scrap tires from going to landfills.

GM's environmental stewardship extends beyond its own facilities. As the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, GM purchases parts from hundreds of companies and is working to share best waste management practices with them.

"EPA is proud to induct GM into the WasteWise Hall of Fame in recognition of these extraordinary achievements," said John Cross, chief of the Municipal Waste Reduction Branch, U.S. EPA. "Hall of Fame status is the highest honor WasteWise partners can achieve. Inductees, such as GM, are long-time partners that have continually reported outstanding waste reduction results throughout their tenure in the program,"added Cross.



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