Bridgestone US Retail Division Phasing Out Lead Weights

At the start of 2008 Bridgestone’s retail arm in the US, BFS Retail & Commercial Operations, LLC (BFRC) will begin offering its customers steel wheel balance weights, replacing millions of lead wheel weights each year with more a ecologically sensitive counterpart.

Customers who visit Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus, ExpertTire or Wheel Works service centres will have the new steel wheel weights installed when they buy new tyres or have their existing tyres balanced. “We implemented this innovative plan because we believe that using steel wheel weights will have a positive environmental impact,” said BFRC environmental manager John Sheerin. “We are hopeful that others in the automotive repair industry will follow suit and join BFRC in promoting the use of steel wheel weights.”

The company is the first of the major US chains in the automotive repair industry to announce they are moving to steel wheel weights. “Our effort to voluntarily switch to steel wheel weights is a great example of the environmental dedication of BFRC and our parent company, Bridgestone Americas,” Sheerin added. “We are doing our part to provide environmentally friendly materials whenever possible, as well as recycling the fluids and parts removed from our customers’ cars during service.” The new steel wheel weights will begin arriving in BFRC service centre locations in early 2008.