Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC (Bendix) recapped its achievements in 2022, including a LEED Silver certification for the company’s headquarters location, a second trophy from the U.S. Department of Energy, and a governor’s award for the company’s first solar installation. These accomplishments are the latest publicly recognized distinctions reflecting the energy, zero-waste, and sustainability milestones Bendix achieved last year, the company says.
“2022 was an outstanding year for Bendix’s energy, environmental, and sustainability performance,” said Maria Gutierrez, Bendix senior director, environmental, social, and governance (ESG). “As we settled into our Avon, Ohio, headquarters and implemented energy efficiency and environmental improvements across more operations this year, team members contributed to our missions of reduced energy use and eliminating wastes. As a result of all of our efforts, we continued to shrink Bendix’s carbon footprint in North America. The accolades we received are testimony to that teamwork and commitment.”
Bendix says it succeeded in increasing its use of clean, renewable energy during 2022, allowing for further reductions in the company’s use of fossil fuels. By the end of the year, the company was operating three solar installations – trimming CO2 emissions as well as energy costs.
Bendix adds it marked gains in its zero-waste initiatives by integrating additional sites in its performance evaluations during 2022. Eight Bendix manufacturing locations succeeded in achieving the company’s official Zero Waste to Landfill certification. Joining those eight sites was Bendix’s headquarters location in Avon, which achieved the certification during its first full year of operation.
Laying the groundwork for Bendix’s zero-waste program is a continuously evolving ISO 14001-certified environmental management system, the company says. The ISO 14001 standard, created by ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, provides best practices for organizations to follow and share when creating and documenting environmental management systems. Bendix has pursued ISO 14001 certification for its environmental management systems since 2010.
Bendix says its internal Green Teams, dedicated to raising awareness of environmentally sustainable practices both inside and outside the company, continued their efforts during 2022 with multiple events and programs. The employee-led teams, charged with identifying and coordinating projects, sponsor companywide and location-specific activities for employees and their families. The projects are designed to help educate and encourage team members to incorporate more environmentally sustainable practices in their daily activities.
In addition, Bendix’s Avon headquarters won LEED Silver certification. LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is administered by the U.S. Green Building Council. The most widely used green building rating system in the world, LEED certification is also a globally recognized symbol of sustainability and leadership, the company says.
