Sia Celebrates 10th Anniversary Of Zero Landfill

LAFAYETTE, Ind. - May 7, 2014 - PRLog -- May 4, 2014 will mark SIA's 10th Anniversary of achieving zero landfill status. Earlier today, SIA officials and Associates gathered to celebrate the milestone with a commemorative tree planting in front of SIA's 3.5 million square foot plant in Lafayette, Indiana.  The tree, a tulip poplar, is Indiana's state tree and will grow as a reminder of the commitment to the environment made by each of SIA's nearly 4,000 Associates.

In 2002, SIA set the goal to achieve zero landfill by 2006.  Due to the diligence and innovation of SIA's Associates, the manufacturer achieved zero landfill on May 4, 2004, two years ahead of schedule.

"Today's celebration is really a celebration of the dedication of each of our Associates," stated SIA Executive Vice President, Tom Easterday.  "By reducing, reusing and recycling, and through continuous improvement activities, SIA Associates have avoided sending anything to a landfill since May 4, 2004, which has resulted in a tremendous positive impact on the environment."

Easterday invited Associates to select one of four different environmental non-profit organizations to which SIA would make a donation in that Associate's name.  The four organizations; Tree Lafayette, NICHES Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy and the National Wildlife Federation, each work locally to help preserve natural resources and assist others in becoming better stewards of the environment.

SIA also announced the launch of a new website aimed at encouraging and assisting other businesses, schools and households in becoming zero landfill.  The website, www.zerolandfillpledge.com, provides tips, tools and resources for reduction and recycling programs.  A peer forum and blog foster a network of support to further aid in benchmarking and serves as a tool to motivate and inspire those seeking to achieve zero landfill.  Much of the information and resources contained in the website were vital to SIA's own zero landfill achievement.

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"Many companies that visit SIA to benchmark our environmental programs often have the desire to become zero landfill, but indicate that they are overwhelmed with the thought of figuring out how to begin," remarked SIA's Manager of Safety and Environmental Compliance, Denise Coogan.  "This website is designed to be user-friendly and straight-forward, listing the basic steps anyone can follow and the resources we used to become zero landfill.  Our objective is to motivate others to take the first step, then give them the road map to continue their journey."

SIA was the first U.S. auto assembly plant to achieve zero landfill, the first to be ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and ISO 50001 (Energy Management) certified and the only U.S. auto assembly plant to be designated a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.

About SIA

Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. (SIA), a subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd., is the home of North American Subaru production. Models built at the Lafayette, Indiana plant include the Subaru Legacy and Outback. SIA also produces the Toyota Camry under contract with Toyota. SIA employs over 3,800 Associates, and every Associate is committed to quality, safety and environmental stewardship.  An industry leader in environmental stewardship, SIA was the first auto assembly plant in America to achieve zero landfill status, and SIA’s entire 832-acre site has been designated a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.  SIA’s community outreach programs include providing charitable contributions and corporate sponsorships, hosting charitable events on-site, donating vehicles and vehicle parts to educational institutions and encouraging Associate volunteerism, which supports hundreds of non-profit organizations and schools throughout Indiana annually. For more information, visit www.subaru-sia.com .