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Gucci designer Frida Giannini believes “sustainable fashion” means “quality items symbolized by a timeless handbag you can pass on.”
reuse
Half of GM’s plants are landfill-free
Seventy-six of General Motors’ 145 plants are landfill-free, surpassing their goal of having half of their plants at zero waste by the end of this year. On average, 97% of waste gets recycled or reused to make new parts, while 3% gets incinerated to produce energy. Overall plants have recycled or reused 2.5 million tons of waste this year, and GM has made over $2.5 billion from selling waste for recycling since 2007.
Cardboard is turned into sound-absorbing material for headliner in the Buick Lacrosse; plastic caps and other plastic shipping pieces are turned into radiator shrouds for the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra; and recycled tires are used to make baffles – parts under cars that direct air and water.
All GM plants track their waste and produce monthly reports on what waste they’re creating, and what they are and aren’t recycling/reusing. Plants already recycle 90% of their waste, and the challenge now is to find new uses for the last bits of waste that are still being sent to landfills.
John Bradburn, who manages waste initiatives are GM, said ideas come from employees at all levels, suppliers, component makers and beyond. All plants have environmental engineers, and some have people from Waste Management and other contract sources that work as resource managers focused on finding alternatives for waste to landfill.
GM plans to announce their new waste goals in early 2011, according to Sharon Basel from GM’s environment and energy communications department. To read the full story please click here.
Do you think the U.S. auto industry will follow suit after GM? How bold do you think GM’s waste goals will be for next year? Discuss!
Green Paper Products
This is a shout-out to a local company who provides 100% biodegradeable and compostable paper products. An associate from the company was nice enough to give us a call and make us aware they are in our area (they’re located on Mayfield Road). They sell everything from plates, cups and silverware to trash bags and food containers. Check out their website at www.greenpaperproducts.com for more information.
Family Feuds over Going Green?
When is the last time you fought with your daughter about doing the dishes, or with your son about taking out the trash? How about arguing over whether or not to reduce, reuse and recycle, and if so, how much? What happens when a family is divided over going green, with everyone harboring a different attitude towards the environment? There’s been some academic research studying these differences between men and women, but how does this play out in real life? When shopping for a new car, your husband announces he wants to buy a Hummer, when you were thinking about a Prius. Now what? Please share with us your stories and how you resolved them….or didn’t resolve them.
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