Freightliner recognized for sustainability efforts

GAFFNEY, S.C. — Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. (FCCC) recently received the 2010 WasteWise Gold Achievement Award for Waste Reduction in the Workplace from the EPA for its sustainability efforts in manufacturing.

In October 2009, FCCC became the first chassis manufacturer and first company within the trucking industry to achieve zero waste to landfill status in the U.S., reaching its goal three months ahead of schedule. Since then, FCCC has been recognized by the state of South Carolina three times for its recycling efforts and twice by Daimler AG, its parent company.

“Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation is proud to receive such prestigious award recognition,” said Bob Harbin, FCCC president. “FCCC is committed to lessening our impact on the environment, and we are pleased that our company-wide commitment to environmental responsibility has been recognized on a national level by the EPA.”

FCCC executives will accept the award during a November ceremony in Washington, D.C. This is the first national award FCCC has received for its zero waste to landfill efforts.

FCCC’s zero waste to landfill program and comprehensive recycling efforts resulted in elimination of solid waste disposal throughout its entire facility. FCCC went from disposing 250,000 pounds per month of solid waste in January 2007 to disposing zero pounds by October 2009.

The FCCC facility recycles materials such as plastic, paper, aluminum, cardboard, metals, wood and nylon. The company’s commitment to clean air technologies is in line with Daimler AG’s global initiative called “Shaping Future Transportation.” Launched by Daimler in November 2007 in Stuttgart, Germany, the initiative is focused on reducing category emissions pollutants, carbon dioxide and fuel consumption.

“FCCC achieved zero waste to landfill status three months earlier than the original January 2010 goal due to the diligence of all FCCC employees, and in particular, the leadership of the Green Team,” Harbin said. “As a company, we will continue to seek opportunities to reduce our environmental impact in our facility and through our products and alternative-fuel efforts.”

FCCC manufactures chassis for the motor-home, delivery walk-in van, and school and shuttle bus markets. It is a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America LLC.