GM’s Toledo Transmission Goes 3 for E3

Our Toledo Transmission’s 2,200 employees are busy bees. Not only do they build 5,400 transmissions every day, they’re building them in an environmentally responsible manner. Just ask the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

Earlier this week, the facility earned top recognition from the Ohio EPA with the Encouraging Environmental Excellence (E3) Gold Award, distinguishing the plant for its exceptional achievements and ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship.

In 2013, Toledo Transmission received the E3 Silver Award, and also earned the Most Valuable Pollution Prevention award from the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable last year.

Toledo Transmission’s continued environmental progress show there are always new ways to operate more efficiently and reduce environmental impact. Here’s how Toledo Transmission stays a step ahead.

• Nineteen percent of the facility is powered by landfill gas. In fact, Toledo Transmission was our first plant to use this renewable energy fuel source back in 1994. An additional 3 percent of the plant’s energy comes from the 1.8 megawatt solar array installed on the complex’s roof. It’s the largest rooftop solar array in Ohio.
• Toledo Transmission is one of our 122 landfill free facilities. All waste from daily operations is recycled, reused or converted to energy, which means the plant hasn’t sent a single bag of trash to a landfill in six years.
• The plant met the ENERGY STAR® Challenge for Industry by reducing its energy intensity by 27 percent. The plant replaced 3,900 light fixtures with 3,600 energy-efficient T8 fluorescent and LED lights, connected to motion sensors. In keeping with the landfill-free commitment, the 3,900 replaced lights were recycled.
• A unique process at the plant saves Toledo Transmission $200,000 annually. Machined parts are now washed with a cleaning solution at ambient temperature, rather than at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Using the cleaner at ambient temperature reduced water, natural gas, landfill gas and electricity use.

But Toledo Transmission wasn’t just awarded for how it’s reducing its environmental impact inside the plant. Its efforts outside are further proof of our commitment to environmental stewardship in the community.

The plant earned a Wildlife at Work certification from the Wildlife Habitat Council for the habitat on its grounds, which includes native flower beds, bat boxes, and an enhanced habitat for migratory birds. Plant employees also mentor local youth in the GM GREEN watershed education program. This learning activity teaches kids about local watersheds and teaches them how to protect our natural resources.

Inside and outside the plant, our employees at Toledo Transmission are committed to improving the environment and the community.