General Motors recycles water bottles to make auto parts.

General Motors (GM) has found a novel way to reuse plastic water bottles for making auto parts and accessories. The company is turning its employees’ recycled water bottles into a new life: noise-reducing fabric insulation that covers the Chevrolet Equinox engine. The plastic bottles - collected from five of its Michigan facilities - are also being turned into air filtration components and insulation in coats for the homeless community.

Given its drive to zero waste, all of GM’s global facilities recycle their water bottles. However, the bottles collected at the five locations are now funnelled into its ‘Do Your Part’ project, where 11 businesses collaborate to give them a second life.

The air filtration components are used in General Motors facilities to protect air quality; and the insulation goes into Empowerment Plan coats that transform into sleeping bags.

“Recycling is good, but viewing waste as a valuable resource that can be plugged into your operations or products is even better. It is about rethinking the process and finding more sustainable ways to manufacture products and contribute to our communities,” said John Bradburn, GM global manager of waste reduction.

GM pursued this project after analysing its impacts from a holistic business case. Sourcing recycled material costs the same while saving energy and reducing waste.

“Many of today’s businesses are challenging the take-make-dispose model and seeing the benefits of a more circular economy. From closed-loop recycling to helping launch material reuse networks, GM is thinking differently and getting other companies to join in,” said Andrew Mangan, executive director of the US Business Council for Sustainable Development.

General Motors demonstrates how a supply chain can become a supply web where business opportunities stem from an original project, furthering the mission and driving more social and economic impact.

BS