The topic of sustainability is a high priority for Continental Tire. Whether developing new technologies like dandelion tires or EcoPlus technology, Continental Tire is a leader in sustainability and their newest tire production facility in Sumter, S.C. is an excellent example of that. The Sumter facility recently attained status as a “zero landfill” plant in its first year of production. The term “zero landfill” means that 100 percent of the plant’s waste is converted into recycled products, or used for energy, rather than turning into trash. This waste includes steel, wood, glass, plastic, rubber, paper, and other materials. The Continental Sumter Plant works with waste management company HWI Environmental Technologies to properly process and repurpose all waste materials generated in the facility.
Continental’s Mt. Vernon plant in Mt. Vernon, Ill., was the first Continental Tire zero landfill plant in the world. HWI Environmental Technologies began working with Mt. Vernon in June of 2004 and at the time, the plant was recycling 38 percent of material generated. HWI and Continental continued to increase the recycling percentages and by March of 2012, the plant was at zero landfill status. Zero landfill was achieved following two years at 95 percent recycling. Today, the Mt. Vernon plant averages 28,000,000 pounds of recycled material per year.
In addition to the zero landfill initiative, Continental focuses on sustainability through conservation of water and energy within tire plants. In the Sumter plant, cross-functional teams monitor water usage, steam leakages and other issues that could waste energy or harm the local environment. The plant is also educates employees about how to protect and preserve natural resources in and outside of the workplace.
“Achieving zero landfill status at such an early stage in the life of a tire plant could not have been achieved without the support of the Sumter employees,” said HWI representative, Toby Ross. “For our recycling programs to be successful, it takes diligence and discipline in separating materials and having a sustainability mindset, and the Continental Tire Sumter Plant has accomplished this.”
The Continental Sumter plant also contributes to a more sustainable environment through community donations to the preservation of natural resources, including trail restoration at Poinsett State Park just outside of Sumter.
Subscribe to Motor Age and receive articles like this every month…absolutely free. Click here
