General Motors Named Green Corporate Citizen

General Motors was named a Green Corporate Citizen Wednesday for its efforts to reduce its environmental footprint. The recognition by Waste & Recycling News and Republic Services in the large company category came at the annual Corporate Recycling & Waste Conference.

 “Forward-thinking companies realize that sustainability and ‘being green’ aren't just ways to market their brands; they are ways to cut costs, boost profits and help the environment along the way,” said John Campanelli, editor of Waste and Recycling News. “GM continues to lead in waste reduction and creative recycling in a way that benefits their business and inspires other companies and suppliers.”

 All of GM’s global facilities combined recycle or reuse more than 90 percent of the waste they generate and 102 of them are landfill-free. In 2011, the automaker recycled or reused 2.5 million metric tons at its facilities worldwide – equivalent to the contents of more than 38 million trash bags. GM recycles more waste from its worldwide facilities than any automaker. Last year, its recycling and reuse efforts last year avoided 10 million metric tons of CO₂-equivalent emissions.

“We look at how we can effectively design out waste first, and then seek out direct reuses and innovative recycling projects,” said John Bradburn, manager of waste-reduction efforts at GM. “Whether it’s repurposing shipping crates into urban garden beds or generating revenue from recycling our scrap, our efforts often result in significant community and bottom-line impact.”

GM strives for continuous improvement. It committed to achieve 25 more landfill-free sites and reduce total waste another 10 percent by 2020.

GM also demonstrates environmental progress in resource preservation and energy efficiency:

• Received ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award for energy management.
• Earned ENERGY STAR certification for superior energy efficiency at two facilities.
• Developed 21 habitat programs around the world certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council — more than any other automaker.
• Matches 8,500 students each year with mentors from all U.S. GM manufacturing facilities in its GM GREEN watershed education program, now in its 23rd year.
• Hosts nearly 30 megawatts of solar power, with plans to double it by 2015 and further increase renewable energy use to 125MW by 2020.

For more information on GM’s environmental commitment, visit its sustainability report and environmental blog.

*Courtesy of GM USA Newsroom