Honda to Build "Zero Waste" Plant in Indiana
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada 
on 06.29.06
Honda doesn't seem to need a weatherman to know which way the wind is blowing. They have just announced the construction of a $550 million automobile plant in Decatur County, Indiana, to build "fuel-efficient vehicles, [because they] believe U.S. consumers are turning away from powerful gas guzzlers." It's most likely that Honda Fit and Honda Civic (hybrid too, maybe?) models will be built there. The new plant should meet the ISO 14001 international environmental management standards, like all other Honda plants in North-America (except the new transmission plant in Georgia, but it's working toward certification). But even more interesting, they want to make it a "zero waste to landfill" factory. They say: "Our goal is that this plant in Indiana will have the smallest environmental footprint of any Honda auto plant in North America." ::Honda News, ::Honda to build in Indiana with fuel economy in mind
Standard car article advice: Walk, cycle, carpool, take public transit, car-share, telecommute. Try to live close to the things you need and to where you work. But if you have to own a car, get the most efficient model that fills your needs, drive sanely, keep it in good mechanical condition and keep your tires properly inflated.
Follow @TreeHugger on Twitter & get our headlines with @TH_rss!
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- 5 Reuses for: Watermelon
- Green Glossary: Bagasse
- Is the Cash for Clunkers Program Right for You?
- Avoid Evaporating Gas: Park in the Shade and Buy Gas When it's Cool
- Does Your Car Qualify for the Federal 'Cash for Clunker' Program?
- Now You Can Get a Tax Credit For Your Scooter
Funny how I didn't see the 'zero waste' plan mentioned in any of the mainstream press I saw on this yesterday....
It doesn't seem to be mentioned much. Google News finds 584 articles related to it. Of course I haven't read them all, but of those that I did read, only the official Honda press release mentions the "zero waste to landfill" goal.
Probably a reflection of what the mainstream media cares about...
Yeah, none of the zero waste news made it into the mainstream news here in Columbus either. The local news announced HONDA's decision not to build in Ohio and said to check the papers for a big announcement and there was nothing more than what was already broadcast.
Also I find it funny that they mentioned the transmission plant in Georgia. That building is no where close to being considered sustainable. I worked on that project for almost a year two years ago at my old firm. We had a lot of sustainable features designed into the structure itself and it all was value engineered out. But the biggest kicker is they were actually leveling the top of a mountian to build this plant. So how is moving a mountain top sustianable if I may ask.
Oh yeah. Now I see it. Honda's not only going for mere safety in their cars, but they're also going for a greener and cleaner environment. Way to go, Honda!