Lafayette, Indiana - The Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) plant resembles many other modern, American assembly plants. With an annual production of 147,148 units in 2007, it's not the largest one, but it does stand out in a very special way: it's one of the cleanest, if not THE cleanest.
The plant, which assembles Subaru Legacy and Outback sedans and station wagons (including the new PZEVs), Subaru Tribeca SUVs and Camry sedans, for its Japanese partner, Toyota, achieved zero-landfill status in 2004.
It's actually so "green" that in 2003 it became the first automotive assembly plant to be named "Backyard Wildlife Habitat" by the National Wildlife Federation: its property is home to diverse wildlife, such as deer, herons, beavers and Canadian geese. A bald eagle couple has even been spotted, the national symbol of the United-States.
An unexpected green policy
Nothing indicated that the subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), manufacturer of Subaru products, would achieve this status. Founded in 1987 in partnership with Isuzu, the SIA assembled its first vehicle two years later, a first-generation Subaru Legacy sedan. They hit the one-million-vehicle mark in 1997 (an Isuzu pickup) and the one-million-Subarus mark a year later.
When Isuzu pulled out of the partnership in the 2002, FHI challenged the SIA managers to reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfill to zero before 2007. This goal, which the Japanese plants have already attained, ties in with the "kaizen" philosophy of continuous improvement promoted in Japan.
"We began very humbly, recycling cans and bottles," remembers Denise Coogan, Manager of Corporate Affairs - Safety and Environment Compliance. "What seemed like an overwhelming task was actually accomplished two years ahead of schedule. We managed to eliminate 99.8% of our waste by 2004."
 |
| In 2003, the National Wildlife Federation named the SIA a "Backyard Wildlife Habitat". |
The plant, which assembles Subaru Legacy and Outback sedans and station wagons (including the new PZEVs), Subaru Tribeca SUVs and Camry sedans, for its Japanese partner, Toyota, achieved zero-landfill status in 2004.
It's actually so "green" that in 2003 it became the first automotive assembly plant to be named "Backyard Wildlife Habitat" by the National Wildlife Federation: its property is home to diverse wildlife, such as deer, herons, beavers and Canadian geese. A bald eagle couple has even been spotted, the national symbol of the United-States.
An unexpected green policy
Nothing indicated that the subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), manufacturer of Subaru products, would achieve this status. Founded in 1987 in partnership with Isuzu, the SIA assembled its first vehicle two years later, a first-generation Subaru Legacy sedan. They hit the one-million-vehicle mark in 1997 (an Isuzu pickup) and the one-million-Subarus mark a year later.
When Isuzu pulled out of the partnership in the 2002, FHI challenged the SIA managers to reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfill to zero before 2007. This goal, which the Japanese plants have already attained, ties in with the "kaizen" philosophy of continuous improvement promoted in Japan.
"We began very humbly, recycling cans and bottles," remembers Denise Coogan, Manager of Corporate Affairs - Safety and Environment Compliance. "What seemed like an overwhelming task was actually accomplished two years ahead of schedule. We managed to eliminate 99.8% of our waste by 2004."
 |
| The Subaru Outback, and the Subaru Tribeca behind it, are both assembled at the SIA. |