Bridgestone Americas has installed a new solar array at its passenger and light truck tire plant in Graniteville, South Carolina, which directly powers the manufacturing facility. The installation includes approximately eight acres of solar panels that generate 2MW of energy, netting a 1,400-metric ton reduction in annual CO2 emissions.
“At Bridgestone, sustainability is core to our business and integrated into every level of our operation. Our global sustainability framework includes important goals in reducing CO2 emissions by 50% by 2030, as we strive toward our long-term environmental target of becoming carbon neutral by 2050,” said Paolo Ferrari, president and CEO, Bridgestone Americas, and executive vice president and executive officer, Bridgestone Corporation. “This solar array is another positive step in Bridgestone’s journey to contribute to a more sustainable and equitable society for all.”
The company also notes that the plant sends no operations waste to landfill. Additionally, the plant has partnered with Clemson University, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and the US Department of Agriculture to utilize its solar array as a pilot for the development of a sustainable ground covering, utilizing native South Carolina plants to encourage native, low-maintenance biodiverse vegetation in and around solar arrays in the state.
