Ford Aims to Cut Landfill Waste 41%

Ford Motor Co. has set a worldwide goal of reducing the amount of waste it sends to landfills 41% by 2016.

The company estimates it currently averages 10.3 kg (22.7 lbs) of landfill scrap per car. It says it intends to cut that number to 6.1 kg (13.4 lbs) over the next four years.

Ford figures it has slashed its average landfill waste 40% from 17.2 kg (37.9 lbs) in 2007. The company notes that some of its facilities have been able to eliminate their landfill contributions entirely.

Most of Ford's improvements to date are credited to recycling and less wasteful production processes. The company says it collected $225 million last year in the U.S. and Canada alone by recycling scrap metal.

The landfill goal is one of several environmental initiatives for Ford manufacturing operations. The company expects to reduce per-vehicle water use 30% from 2009 to 2015, energy consumption 25% from 2011 to 2016 and greenhouse gas emissions 30% from 2010 to 2025.