GM to go 'landfill free' in half its plants by 2010

[CorvallisBMW]

I found this article really interesting:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/environment/2008-09-04-gm-zero-landfill_N.htm

Subaru has been doing this for a couple of years now, Toyota too. It's good to see that one of the Big 3 is taking some initiative and trying to improve their manufacturing processes. The benefits of landfill-free fall mostly outside of the environmental impact. By eliminating garbage, you are eliminating waste. And waste is the enemy of running a strong, efficient business. Everything that GM brings in to it's plants, it has to pay for. Whether thats cardboard boxes you have to truck in (fuel cost), or energy, wastewater, excess packaging, etc. So by reducing the amount of wast you throw out, you reduce the amount of $$$ you throw out too. Selling scrap, recycling, etc. can all bring in in actual hard money, where as garbage hauling costs money. It leads to more efficient manufacturing methods and practices, thereby reducing costs and saving money (and helping the environment).

This is actually my area of focus for one of my degrees (Lean Manufacturing in Industrial Engineering) so I find it very cool. I'm very glad major companies are realizing that 'going green' can save a ton of money, make them more efficient, improve their PR and put them ahead of the competition.

[rwh11385]

Subaru would have to deal with these used copper nuts or whatnot and buy new ones. Kaizen and lean management got them to talk to their supplier and recycle them instead of wasting them.

Subaru's plant by school has an amazing backyard with wildlife and looks beautiful.

Go GM. Glad I drive one.

[jflip2002]

Im not a treehugger by any means, but the way U.S. Americans live, its not very sustainable. It is good to see the top 2 auto manufacturers going green. I cant read that article here, its blocked, but what are the steps that make them "landfill free". Im ignorant to the theme in specific, though I can kind of gather what the intention is. Is it to say they are not producing ANY waste that go into ANY landfills? Or does it simply have to be reduced by a certain amount?

[Funkmasta]

I'm very glad major companies are realizing that 'going green' can save a ton of money, make them more efficient, improve their PR and put them ahead of the competition.

You left quality out of the equation.

[2Big4a3Series]

I hate to be pessimistic about the whole "going green" thing but as with most corporations, it is more about marketing and profits than it is about caring for the environment as they would want us to believe. On the other hand it's great that corporations that produce waste and air/water polluting products are starting to take responsibility for the impact that they create.

All around I think its an excellent move on their part because in the next 2 years or so, a large part of the population will be at their wits end with global warming and the other global environmental threats that going green will be the theme of the next decade.

[CorvallisBMW]

I hate to be pessimistic about the whole "going green" thing but as with most corporations, it is more about marketing and profits than it is about caring for the environment as they would want us to believe. On the other hand it's great that corporations that produce waste and air/water polluting products are starting to take responsibility for the impact that they create.

All around I think its an excellent move on their part because in the next 2 years or so, a large part of the population will be at their wits end with global warming and the other global environmental threats that going green will be the theme of the next decade.

Exactly. The movement for sustainability and stewardship of the environement is growing faster and faster. Companies that than start down the road now will be miles ahead of their competition as far as public image, and be making better products to boot.

[equate975]

You left quality out of the equation.

Haha yeah, I'm glad I DON'T drive a GM lol. Seriously, new GMs are built so damn cheap.