NASHVILLE, Tenn.—American Honda Motor Co. has recognized Bridgestone Americas Inc.'s Wilson, N.C. tire plant with three Green Factory Environmental Achievement Recognitions—energy reduction, natural resources and pollution prevention.
Honda presented the awards at its recent 22nd annual Environmental, Safety and Ergonomics Symposium.
The plant, where daily capacity is more than 32,000 passenger tires, earned an energy reduction award for achieving Superior Energy Performance Mature Pathway ISO 50001 certification, a management system model of continuous improvement in energy performance.
Between 2001 and 2011, Bridgestone said its Wilson facility achieved an energy savings of 16.8 percent by switching the primary fuel source to natural gas in boilers, shutting down equipment when not in operation, promptly repairing steam and air leaks, insulating piping across the plant and executing several lighting optimization projects.
The natural resources award recognized the Wilson plant's community education program that teaches area students about land and wildlife preservation. Bridgestone designated 350 acres of the Wilson plant site to create the Wilson Plant Freedom Wildlife Habitat and Refuge which is a Corporate Lands for Learning program certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council.
Pollution prevention recognition was awarded for the plant's zero waste to landfill achievement, a claim validated by Underwriters Laboratories in January 2014, Bridgestone said. The Wilson plant is the first manufacturing facility of any kind to receive this validation from UL. The Wilson plant reached zero waste to landfill in early 2013 and has kept that rate intact to date, the tire company said.