Date: January 1, 2022
The Challenge
In the early 2000s, an automotive manufacturer announced their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. To align themselves with the environmental goals of their parent company, they set a five-year goal to become the first auto manufacturer to achieve zero-waste-to-landfill.
The Solution
Envita Solutions developed and maintained an efficient and audited process –complete with secondary options and redundancies to eliminate potential interruptions –allowing the customer to focus on their core competencies of manufacturing award-winning products. Envita’s onsite management and logistics abilities blended seamlessly with a variety of new and existing waste technologies, adapting to new environmental situations and continuously evaluating operations. Our staff assisted in the education of the facility’s employees, set up recycling stations throughout the facility, and developed a tracking and reporting system for the collected materials. Over time Envita’s role continued to develop further to include composting of cafeteria waste, and even working with new suppliers to review/modify shipping containers and packaging before it is ever delivered to the company.
The Result
In just 18 months, the company achieved zero-waste-to-landfill (ZWLF) status, becoming the first automotive assembly plant in the country to reach this milestone.
The customer was even recognized by local lawmakers with the Indiana Governor’s Award for manufacturing recycling. Additionally, the company implemented long-term process changes, encouraging product suppliers to use recycled materials, further solidifying their commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices.