General Motors February 2013 Corporate Responsibility Newsletter
General Motors Corporate Responsibility Newsletter
February 2013
Chevrolet Malibu Label Provides Ecologic Scorecard
Most Chevrolet Malibu customers say they want to know just how green their car is, regardless of its exterior color. Now they can find out what was done to reduce its environmental impact from an at-a glance EcologicTM window label.
WASTE REDUCTION
GM Seeks to Boost Recycling Infrastructure in Southeast
General Motors is taking a regional approach to boosting recycling infrastructure – looking first to the Southeast United States. It initiated the Suppliers' Partnership for the Environment Southern Network forum and hosted a group of automakers, suppliers, recycling partners and government officials at its Spring Hill, Tenn. complex to discuss waste-reduction challenges, recycling opportunities and capabilities.
Forbes Reports on GM’s Recycling Efforts
GM has many chapters to its waste-reduction story. From landfill-free plants and creative recycling and reuse, to offering best practices, there are various environmental, social and business benefits of its efforts. GM recently shared details of this journey with Forbes’ Joann Muller. Read her take here, “How GM Makes $1 Billion a Year by Recycling Waste”.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
General Motors Joins Solar Energy Industries Association
General Motors is now a member of the Solar Energy Industries Association, joining other renewable energy advocates supporting a strong U.S. solar industry. Part of its renewable energy goal as a company involves helping other organizations learn how to successfully implement renewable energy strategies. Joining SEIA enables GM to reach a pool of like-minded companies committed to making solar energy a significant energy source.
Talking Carbon Reduction with GM’s Sustainability Chief
Chevrolet’s Carbon Reduction Initiative recently announced a major milestone, contracting 7 million metric tons of carbon reduction, as it works toward its target of 8 million. RP Siegel, TriplePundit blogger, followed up by phone with David Tulauskas, GM’s director of sustainability and manager of the initiative for this Q&A.
GREENER VEHICLES
An Electric Night in Hollywood
West Coast GM employees welcomed celebrities to the Global Green 10th annual pre-Oscar party. Green-minded celebrities were on-hand to check out our latest electric offerings.
Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel Delivers Efficient Performance
The all-new 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel features an advanced 2.0L clean diesel engine that will offer an estimated 42 mpg highway with an automatic transmission and expected best-in-segment range based on GM testing. Clean diesels generate at least 90 percent less Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) and particulate emissions when compared to previous-generation diesels. It is the cleanest diesel passenger car engine ever produced by GM.
GM Pledges With Google, Verizon, and Others, to Promote Workplace EV Charging
GM will join other leading companies to broadly promote the increase of workplace charging across the U.S. to attract corporate executives, employees, and fleets to plug-in vehicles and to increase the electric miles driven each day by drivers. The U.S. Department of Energy will deliver technical assistance while establishing a network where partners and ambassadors can share best practices.
RESOURCE PRESERVATION
For the Birds: Detroit Audubon Society Recognizes GM
The Detroit Audubon Society recently recognized GM for its continued participation in a program that helps birds avoid crashing into illuminated buildings during migratory night flights. GM encourages employees at its world headquarters in Detroit to turn off their lights at night during spring and fall migrations, from March through May and from August through October. The automaker is participating for the seventh year in Safe Passage Great Lakes, a joint program of the Detroit Audubon Society and Michigan Audubon.
GM Engineer Mentors Kids to Go for the Green
For four to six hours each week, Renée Mietz, senior environmental project engineer at GM’s Saginaw Metal Castings Operations, coaches students in environmental and earth science before and after school in preparation for Science Olympiad tournaments.
SAFETY
Cadillac Technologies Target Traffic
Cadillac is packaging safety technologies to help ease the rigors of the daily commute from the driveway to crowded parking structures and congested freeways. The new ATS sport sedan is one of three 2013 Cadillac models with Driver Assist technology that uses cameras, radar, ultrasonic sensors and automatic braking to help make common traffic situations safer. In certain low-speed conditions, the car can even brake automatically to help prevent collisions.
DIVERSITY
GM Named among Latina Style Magazine's Top 50 Companies
At the recent Latina Style Magazine 50 Awards held in Washington, DC, General Motors was recognized among the 2012 top 50 U.S. companies for advancing the career of professional Hispanic women.
Tonawanda Engine Sponsors Black History Month Event
700 high school kids from Buffalo Public Schools poured into the Buffalo Convention Center on Valentine's Day to participate in an event presented by Canisius College called "Moving Forward: Building Leaders for the Future".
