Nissan Plant Named Tennessee Recycler Of The Year
Nashville, TN - Nissan North America's (NNA) powertrain assembly plant in Decherd, Tenn., has been named Tennessee Recycler of the Year for 2006 in the business category by Tennessee Recycling Coalition (TRC). The award is presented to a business that practices outstanding leadership and waste prevention in its field or region.
The Decherd Plant has a comprehensive recycling program. In 2006, the plant diverted over 1,100 tons of waste from the landfill. Additionally, the Decherd Plant recycled over 8,700 tons of scrap metal used in the manufacture of engines in 2006. In total, the plant recycled 94% of the waste materials generated at the plant in 2006.
"Our Decherd plant is demonstrating its commitment to the environment through innovative recycling programs," said Dan Gaudette, senior vice president of North American Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management at NNA. "This important award just underscores the genuine concern every single employee at Nissan has about preserving the communities in which we work and live. We are honored to be this year's recipient."
A panel of judges representing state and local environmental organizations selects the winner. The award was presented at the TRC/Southeast Region Development Council joint annual conference held at the Radisson Opryland in Nashville, Tenn.
\"The TRC is proud to name Nissan's Decherd facility as Tennessee Recycler of the Year for its dedicated efforts to preserve the environment through recycling," said Christina Treglia, president of Tennessee Recycling Coalition. "We hope their accomplishments will inspire others to research and implement recycling strategies.\"
TRC is a non-profit organization made up of members representing private business, federal and state agencies, cities and counties, non-profit organizations, trade associations, educational institutions and individuals. Its mission is to promote the adoption of recycling and waste reduction programs in the state of Tennessee through education and partnerships.
At each of Nissan's three manufacturing facilities in Smyrna and Decherd, Tenn., and Canton, Miss., great importance is placed on being a good citizen by protecting the environment, minimizing facilities' impact by conserving the use of energy, water and other resources, and recycling. Each of the plants have received certification to the ISO 14001 international environmental management standard. The plants also practice ongoing energy conservation.
Nissan received two environmental awards in 2006. The Smyrna and Canton plants earned the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Energy Star award for energy-efficient operations that cut pollution, lowered energy consumption and reduced costs. The company also received the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry award for outstanding environmental accomplishments in the category of hazardous waste management and an "Achievement Certificate" for a successful practice of recycling and reducing wastes destined for off-site landfills.
In December 2006, Nissan announced the "Nissan Green Program 2010." This global mid-term environmental action plan is designed to fulfill Nissan's environmental philosophy of "symbiosis of people, vehicles, and nature" and to contribute to a sustainable mobile society. Nissan is focused on three core areas related to the environment: reducing CO2 emissions, reducing exhaust emissions and accelerating recycling efforts.
SOURCE: Nissan North America's