Automobile*Manufacturing*and*Sustainability* * Jen$Galvan$ University$of$Leeds$ $ Matt$Davis$ University$of$Leeds$
* Background* Environmental$changes$have$been$undertaken$at$a$vehicle$plant$located$in$the$UK$that$is$ part$of$a$larger$multinational$automotive$manufacturing$company.$The$UK$plant$began$ production$in$1992$and$currently$has$2,600$employees.$$ $ Drivers*of*Change* On$a$global$level,$the$organisation$is$committed$to$environmental$sustainability,$in$ which$they$aim$for$all$of$their$manufacturing$facilities$to$have$minimal$negative$impacts$ on$the$environment.$In$accordance$with$this$longJterm$vision,$the$plant$holds$the$ following$environmental$pledge:$“To$minimize$the$environmental$impact$of$vehicles$and$ their$manufacture.”$To$achieve$this,$the$environmental$policy$focuses$on$the$elimination$ of$any$pollution$at$source.$The$process$to$continually$strive$to$achieve$this$objective$is$ based$on$‘The$5$R’s:$Refine$(e.g.$No$CFCs,$use$waterJbased$paints$where$possible);$ Reduce$(e.g.$reduce$use$of$natural$resources$–$water,$gas,$electricity$etc.);$ReJuse$(e.g.$ 99.9%$of$our$European$packaging$is$reJused);$Recycle$(e.g.$Recycle$as$much$material$as$ possible$–$steel,$water,$plastics,$paper,$rubber$etc.);$Retrieve$energy$(e.g.$exhaust$gases$ reheat$other$production$processes).’$ $ Organizational*Initiatives*to*Increase*Sustainability* As$the$plant$aims$to$foster$environmentally$minded$employees,$the$vehicle$plant$ introduced$a$series$of$initiatives$to$engage$their$employees$in$environmentally$friendly$ activities.$These$included$the$following:$ • Creation$and$opening$of$a$nature$walk$on$the$site,$which$involved$creating$a$ wildlife$reserve$around$the$site$balancing$lakes$in$partnership$with$the$local$ Wildlife$Trust.$ • Creation$and$implementation$of$an$environmental$program,$in$which$employees$ were$given$the$opportunity$to$take$part$in$environmental$activities$that$aimed$to$ protect$the$environment.$An$employee$was$rewarded$when$an$established$ number$of$activities$were$completed.$ • Introduction$of$an$annual$event$to$invite$families$of$employees$to$the$plant$to$ engage$in$a$day$of$fun$that$provided$eco$activities,$including$a$tour$of$the$plant,$ walks$around$the$nature$reserve,$and$environmental$focused$activities$for$ children$ • Introduction$of$additional$eco$events$for$employees,$including$training$in$efficient$ driving$techniques,$as$well$as$learning$about$environmental$processes$on$site,$ such$as$waste$management.$$
• Installation$of$a$showcase$solar$PV$in$the$front$of$the$plant$$ • Recycling$waste$water$ • Future$projects$include:$ o Harvesting$rainwater$ o Introducing$benefits$to$employees$incorporating$eco$friendly$ household$change,$such$as$insulation$of$solar$panels$ • Installed$dozens$of$clearly$signposted,$standardized$recycling$receptacles$ throughout$the$office$&$shop$floor$areas$ • Posted$flyers$with$environmental$slogans$to$help$remind$employees$to$turn$off$ lights$ • Introduced$environmental$briefings$to$give$information$back$to$employees$on$ environmental$progress$ • Introduced$“Shut$Off”,$which$focuses$on$“switch$off”$of$process$equipment$and$ lighting$to$minimize$base$load$consumption$in$nonJproduction$time.$ • Introduced$cycle$to$work$scheme$ • Introduced$lift$share$scheme.$ $ Staff*Engagement*in*Change* The$vehicle$plant$highly$prioritizes$staff$engagement$in$environmental$activities,$while$ even$encouraging$their$employees$to$engage$in$environmental$protection$efforts$at$ home.$Currently,$98%$of$their$employees$are$involved$in$their$environmental$program,$ which$was$introduced$over$the$last$few$years.$Additionally,$50%$of$these$employees$ have$completed$the$second$level$of$the$program.$This$initiative$fosters$creativity$by$ encouraging$employees$to$brainstorm$and$identify$efficient$processes$and$methods$that$ are$more$environmentally$friendly,$while$simultaneously$providing$them$with$specific$ activities$they$can$undertake$to$help$make$an$environmental$impact$within$their$ organization$and$at$home.$