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Ford sending zero operational waste to landfill by Abigail Cukier Special to the Beaver 13 | Thursday, September 11, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com As many as 10,000 parts flow though the Oakville Assembly plant, Ford's largest in Canada. So it really is a marvel that the company now sends no operational waste to a landfill. In 2013, Oakville Assembly recycled close to 2,000 metric tonnes of wood, cardboard, paper and plastic, saving more than 5,000 cubic metres of landfill space and more than 32 million litres of water. This represents enough landfill space to fulfill the municipal waste disposal needs for a community of more than 5,500 people for one year. "It has taken years to reach this significant accomplishment, " said Greg Twomey, plant engineering manager, Oakville Assembly. "It includes working with a very complex network of suppliers and having them participate. It is a big deal." Ford Motor Company is now landfill-free at all of its Canadian manufacturing facilities. The Essex Engine Plant received landfill-free status in 2012 and Windsor Engine Plant in 2013. Around the world, 21 Ford facilities maintain zero waste-to-landfill We have a workforce of 3,000 to 4,000. And everyone in the plant contributes with ideas, suggestions and participation by using the right receptacles and so on. To be able to accomplish this, everyone needs to contribute. Oakville Assembly Complex, plant manager Will Cowell An employee works in the Oakville Assembly Complex at the Ford of Canada headquarters in Oakville. The plant is sending zero operational waste to landfill. | photo courtesy Ford of Canada Ltd. status. The 5.5-million-square-foot Oakville Assembly is the first Ford assembly plant in North America to achieve this environmental designation. Will Cowell, Oakville Assembly plant manager, said the company worked hard to improve processes and set up viable solutions to help make it possible for suppliers to participate. For example, using reusable plastic shipping containers and metal racks to use less cardboard. The plant also sends its wastewa- ter treatment plant sludge to a power generation company, where it is converted into energy for use back in the community. "When talking about the Three Rs -- reduce, re-use, recycle -- we try to reduce first. Sometimes if we need unique sizes, we need to design unique containers to make it work," said Twomey. "It is about deliberate, purposeful action. You have to set your goal and then work toward getting there. You don't just wake up and get there one day." Cowell gives most credit to the plant's employees. "We have a workforce of 3,000 to Will Cowell 4,000. And everyone in the plant contributes with ideas, suggestions and participation by using the right receptacles and so on," he said. "To be able to accomplish this, everyone needs to contribute." Ford has already reduced global per vehicle waste to landfill by 40 per cent from 2007 to 2011. "This is not the end, though," Twomey said. "We are going to continue and can still get better and keep improving." Fortunately, the hearing instruments of today bear no resemblance to those produced even 5 years ago. Research to improve the quality and naturalness of sound has resulted in digital instruments that perform up to patient expectations. If you haven't listened to a hearing aid in the last 3 years, come in for a TEST DRIVE* and prepare to be amazed! "The Alta has a 97% overall patient satisfaction rating!" · *No obligation TEST DRIVE (wear hearing aids for 2 weeks without paying for them to experience the benefit in your daily life) · Government grants available, WSIB, VAC, ADP and private insurance plans. If you've forgotten what fair, professional service feels like, call us and prepare to be amazed! Satisfaction guaranteed! Tim Hortons Smile Cookies are coming to Oakville on September 15. The entire proceeds from each delicious chocolate chunk Smile Cookie will be donated to Oakville Hospital Foundation. To find out more visit timhortons.com Call (905) 465-3277 (EARS) to book your complimentary hearing test ($60 value, Age 55+) OAKVILLE 2419 Marine Drive © Tim Hortons, 2010