Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (Bridgestone) today announced that its passenger and light truck radial tire manufacturing facility in Aiken County, S.C. (Aiken PSR Facility) was recently recognized by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) for its waste reduction and recycling efforts during 2018 as part of the State of South Carolina’s Smart Business Recycling Program.
During the year, the Aiken PSR Facility recycled more than 450 tons of metals, 222 tons of cardboard, and 2 tons of paper and 385 tons of plastics. The Aiken PSR Facility has been landfill-free since 2012. This facility also recycles manufacturing process wastes in addition to metals, cardboard, paper and plastics in accordance with Bridgestone environmental goals.
“This recognition of our recycling efforts is the result of our company’s global corporate social responsibility commitment, Our Way to Serve, that serves as a framework for the way we do business and how we create a lasting social impact in our communities,” said Vergil Norrod, plant manager at the Aiken PSR Facility. “We are proud of our employees’ commitment to serving society by balancing business operations with environmental stewardship, while also contributing to local communities to build a better world.”
The State of South Carolina’s goal is to recycle 40 percent of its waste by the year 2020. SCDHEC’s Smart Business Recycling Program is a free, voluntary program designed to help South Carolina's businesses reduce the environmental impact of their operations and incorporate environmental stewardship and sustainability in their business practices. The program promotes and recognizes businesses like Bridgestone for recycling and sustainability efforts. It also provides technical assistance to help facilities begin or expand green practices such as waste reduction, recycling and composting; energy and water conservation; and environmentally preferred purchasing.
Bridgestone Americas has operated the Aiken PSR Facility since 1998, producing passenger and light truck tires for original equipment manufacturers and retail. The plant celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2018.
Bridgestone Americas also operates its Aiken County Off Road Tire Plant in Trenton, producing large and ultra large off road radial tires.
Both Aiken plants were recognized last year and accepted into the South Carolina Environmental Excellence Program (SCEEP) for their recycling, conservation and community support. SCEEP, a program highlighting outstanding workplace environmental improvement, is implemented through the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. SCEEP was designed to recognize and reward South Carolina facilities that have demonstrated superior environmental performance through pollution prevention, energy and resource conservation, and the use of an environmental management system.
