Images: GM’s Fastlane

In the midst of Chevy’s unfortunate recalls, a number of parties from the company are continuing to show the world what GM is really about–environmental friendliness. Okay, maybe that’s not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Chevrolet, but over the past few years, Chevy has really strode to become an industry leader in reusing, recycling and converting waste materials from their manufacturing processes. This has resulted in 110 landfill-free facilities across the globe.

So what was has Chevy been up to this month? Well, prior to the two-day NASCAR event last weekend at Darlington Raceway, which featured both Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series races, a group of Chevy sustainability leaders got together to teach area school children how Chevy is helping South Carolina’s Wood Duck population by converting old Volt battery cases into nesting boxes.

According to GM’s Fastlane, the nesting box project is the brainchild of GM Global Waste-Reduction Manager John Bradburn, who has overseen the construction of about 520 nesting boxes made from Chevy remnants over the last couple of years. These boxes, which provide adequate nesting spaces and protection for the Wood Ducks and their eggs, are now scattered across various locations, including Chevy and GM facilities nationwide. 

The Darlington Raceway property is home to many Wood Ducks, as there are several acres of protected wetlands on the grounds. This gave Chevy a great opportunity leading up to their April NASCAR race.

Just before NASCAR’s Darlington weekend, GM Sustainability Program Manager Mary Alice Kurtz, and environmental engineer at the Detroit Hamtramak Assembly facility (where the Chevy Volt is produced) Pamela Jamieson led the nesting box project for 20 area school-agers. During the sessions, the school kids helped create one of the famed nesting boxes out of discarded Volt battery cases.

The nesting box project is just one of the sustainability projects GM incorporates into its company’s workings. They also sustain 110 landfill-free facilities with all daily waste being recycled, reused or converted into energy. Examples of this is using discarded tires from GM’s Proving Grounds to make water and air deflectors for the Chevy Volt, and mixing plastic packaging with other materials to make radiator shrouds for Chevy Silverados. GM also maintains 4,200 acres of wildlife habitat at their facilities and runs 26 certified habitat programs.