Nov 20, 2008

EPA Recognizes Bridgestone-Firestone for Environmental Effort

Bridgestone-Firestone retail operations was recently honored at the WasteWise & NPEP Conference for recycling more than 319,000 pounds of lead from lead wheel weights in 2007. In addition to its ongoing efforts to further reduce the impact of lead on the environment, Bridgestone-Firestone launched a nationwide environmental initiative in January 2008 to install nontoxic steel wheel weights instead of lead weights in its customers’ vehicles. The retail operations member of the Bridgestone Americas (BSA) family was the first of the major chains in the automotive repair industry to make the switch to steel wheel weights. All of its approximately 2,000 automotive service store locations are switching to more ecologically sensitive, nontoxic steel weights, replacing millions of lead wheel weights each year.

“BFRC is honored to receive this recognition and will continue to strengthen its commitment to protecting the environment,” said Michael Welly, environmental compliance specialist for BFRC, which operates Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus, ExpertTire and Wheel Works retail outlets. “Lead reduction is just one of many efforts to protect and conserve the environment under our global One Team, One Planet program with Bridgestone Corporation, BSA’s parent company.”