Bridgestone Americas Kicks Off Four Weeks of Environmental Announcements

NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its ongoing commitment to ensure a healthy environment for future generations, Bridgestone Americas, Inc., today kicked off a four-week schedule of announcements that highlight the company's commitment to sustainable business practices. The company's first announcement presents its success in significantly reducing the waste it sends to landfills from its tire manufacturing plants throughout North America.

Today, the company announced that two of its nine North American tire manufacturing facilities have achieved zero waste to landfill. Progress to eliminate unnecessary use of landfills started with significant reductions of wastes and continued in 2006 when the company added a focus on finding uses for remaining landfilled materials. This focus included viewing waste streams as valuable resources that have markets, rather than landfills, as their destinations. 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 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. "We get excited about major changes when we see healthy competition between our facilities.  When it comes to recycling at Bridgestone, the race is on. "

Innovation is key to Bridgestone's success in finding beneficial uses for what used to be landfilled waste. 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 percent overall today.

"Teammates across our business are always looking for innovative ways to improve our processes and reduce our environmental impact," said Tim Bent, Director of Environmental Affairs, Bridgestone Americas. "Significantly reducing the waste we generate and send to landfills is an important step in our commitment to help preserve our environment for future generations. Our partners, communities and ultimately our customers expect it of us. We are committed to exceeding their expectations and our own."

"One Team, One Planet" is the overarching program for all of Bridgestone Corporation's environmental activities. Bridgestone's environmental mission is "To help ensure a healthy environment for current and future generations" with a focus on the company's three major objectives: Being in harmony with nature, valuing natural resources and reducing CO₂ emissions.

For other recent press announcements, images and corporate logos, from Bridgestone Americas, Inc., visit www.BridgestoneAmericasMedia.com. For product information on the full lines of Bridgestone and Firestone brand tires, visit www.BridgestoneTire.com.  

About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:

Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world's largest tire and rubber company. BSAM and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are also engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles. The BSAM family of companies also operates the world's largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its One Team, One Planet message, the company is dedicated to achieving a positive environmental impact in all of the communities it calls home.

SOURCE Bridgestone Americas, Inc.