2010 Bridgestone Environmental Report Published

Bridgestone Europe has released the latest edition of its environmental report. The document, titled ‘Environmental Commitment and Performance’, updates the 2009 version and adds content on the upcoming European tyre labelling legislation, Bridgestone’s new eco-oriented Ecopia tyre range and the company’s environment-related activities in the community.

The main body of the new report presents the environmental impact of Bridgestone products and manufacturing processes following the scheme of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). This evaluation technique looks at the total environmental impact of the product from cradle to grave – from raw materials selection, manufacturing and product use through to re-use, recycling or end-of-life disposal. As mentioned above, a new chapter deals with the forthcoming legislation for tyre labelling, aimed at promoting fuel-efficient and safe tyres with low noise levels. Bridgestone details the steps it is taking to meet this requirement, focusing on its new range of low-rolling-resistance Ecopia car tyres introduced in Europe in 2009 and Ecopia truck tyres, which were unveiled at the IAA Commercial vehicle show in September 2010.

The report also highlights Bridgestone Europe’s activities aimed at educating the public about tyre care and its ecological impact. It explains how maintaining tyres properly and at the correct inflation pressure reduces both fuel consumption and carbon emissions.This was also one of the objectives of the global “Think Before You Drive” campaign – a joint initiative between Bridgestone and the FIA Foundation  – which aimed to improve road safety by promoting more responsible driving habits and car maintenance, including tyre care. The ecological impact of poor tyre care is illustrated in the report by the results obtained from more than 30,000 safety tyre checks undertaken by Bridgestone for motorists across Europe every year.

Those interested in reading the report can download it from the Bridgestone Europe website at http://www.bridgestone.eu/corporate/environment/european-brochure.