A Gerbil Generates More Waste Than This Place

We cannot overstate this — Subaru of Indiana's plant was the first "zero landfill" auto factory in the U.S. Fully 99 percent of waste from the plant is recycled, and the remaining 1 percent is turned into electricity. Obviously, "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" — the mantra of greenies everywhere — has taken on religious importance here. The first two actions go hand in hand. If you can reuse something, then landfill waste will be reduced, and less will need to be manufactured in the first place.

SIA's solvent recovery system is a great example of this process. After use, paint solvents are broken down into their base elements and reused repeatedly. Other examples are the massive plastic trays used to transport engines, and the thousands of brass lug nuts used to temporarily secure the wheels to the cars. After use, they are sent back to their point of origin for reuse.

Recycling efforts are equally intense. In 2006 alone, more than 11,000 tons of steel (that's more than 22 million pounds) were saved by recycling materials that would normally have been resigned to the scrap heap. Cardboard/paper and polystyrene/other plastics were likewise recycled to the tune of roughly 1,500 and 190 tons, respectively. More than 31,000 mature trees were saved from the chainsaw thanks to recycling nearly 1,000 tons of wood from pallets and the like. And almost 11,000,000 gallons of water were saved thanks to SIA's intelligent use of existing materials.

Though some processes, such as the paint solvent recovery system, cost the company a pretty penny, others, such as reusing polystyrene and plastic packing pieces, cost little. Still, saving money is a side benefit, one not lost on this corporation with a conscience. Granted, the more expensive systems will take time to pay for themselves (in some cases, up to seven years from time of purchase, according to a Subaru executive), though all agree it's money well spent for both environmental and economical reasons.

Employees are just as enthusiastic, and recycle via the "paper," "plastic" and "metal" recycling barrels located throughout the plant and dining areas. Last year, they recycled 15 tons of their soda pop (as they say in Indiana) cans and bottles. These diligent workers go the extra mile, too, as they are encouraged to let the top brass know if they have any ideas to help the cause. It was a plant employee who suggested reusing the brass lug nuts referred to earlier.

Nothing escapes scrutiny, and even lightbulbs and used rags are reincarnated — last year 4 tons and 10 tons of these items were recycled, respectively. Hate the thought of wasting food? So do these folks — normally wasted food from the cafeteria sees another life by going to a plant that uses it to create electricity.