Car manufacturer, Ford, has announced plans to reduce the amount of waste it sends to landfill by 70 per cent over the next five years, and reduce water use by 30 per cent per vehicle by 2016, at its European production plants.
The targets are part of a green manufacturing plan being rolled out across Europe. They cover the company’s sites at Southampton, Bridgend and Dagenham in the UK, as well as at plants in Belgium, Spain and Germany.
'Lowest levels of utilities'
Dirk Heller, director of manufacturing for power train operations at Ford Europe said: "Our goal is to manufacture as quickly as possible and with lowest levels of utilities coming in and the lowest levels of waste going out.
"Sustainability enables us to make car production leaner and more cost-efficient. It’s both the right thing to do and the smart thing to do."
Stephen Odell, chairman and chief executive of Ford Europe added: "This plan represents our pledge to minimise Ford’s impact on the environment, both before and after our customers get behind the wheel."
Ford Europe has already cut landfill waste generation by 40 per cent and reduced its water use by 37 per cent, from 2007 levels. Three of its plants have also achieved zero waste to landfill already.
Waste and water
The company’s new waste target will save 5.5 million tonnes of rubbish from landfill each year, which is equivalent to saving 3.5 kg of waste per car and van manufactured. It plans to achieve this by focusing primarily on increasing the proportion of waste that it can recycle or re-use.
The company also plans to save a further 1.7 million m3 of water per year – the equivalent of about 520 Olympic sized swimming pools - which will bring annual cost savings of about £1.9 million.
Greener processes
Ford is also working on the launch of a new electric-powered car, made partly from recycled plastic bottles, and it is about to start producing its smallest, most fuel-efficient engine yet, in Cologne.
Some of its models already incorporate recycled materials such as soy foam for seat cushions and head rests, and recycled yarn for seat covers.
As new models and parts are introduced, new, more resource-efficient production lines are being fitted, so that they can be made with minimal environmental impacts.
For example, levels of coolant used in the manufacture of aluminium engine parts have been reduced without impacting on the quality of production.
Ford is also on track to reduce tailpipe emissions from its vehicles by 30 per cent by 2020, whilst targeting a 30 per cent reduction of embedded carbon in its vehicles by 2025.
Free support
In the North West, ENWORKS provides free support to help businesses make production processes more efficient, products more sustainable, reduce water consumption, and find fresh uses for waste materials.
Posted under Automotive
and Waste Management
and Water Efficiency and Effluent Management
and Other Manufacturing on 22 February 2012
