Bridgestone China Asia Pacific wins CSR and ESG gold awards

Bridgestone China Asia Pacific (BSCAP) won Gold in both the CSR and ESG Leadership category, and the Best Environmental Excellence Award in the suite of awards facilitated by Pinnacle Group International. Bridgestone Australia & New Zealand’s ongoing commitment to the RYDA road safety education program and sustainable practices embedded within the Bandag retread business were highlighted as a significant contributor to the award victories. This is the fifth consecutive year that BSCAP has being recognised for its initiatives across the region at the Global CSR & ESG Awards.

The Global CSR & ESG Summit & Awards are Asia’s Most Prestigious Recognition Awards programme for Corporate Social Responsibility and ESG. The awards recognise companies for outstanding, innovative and world-class services, projects and programs that demonstrate leadership and commitment to incorporating ethical values, compliance, and respect for individuals, communities and the environment in the way they do business.

According to Bridgestone Australia & New Zealand managing director, Heath Barclay, the local contribution to these global awards highlights the importance Bridgestone places on social issues as well as being active in our local communities:

“Bridgestone takes its commitment to corporate social responsibility seriously, and this is evident with how the global Bridgestone E8 Commitment underpins our business activity. We’re thrilled to have local activity highlighted in the Global CSR & ESG Awards again in 2022, showcasing the contribution that Australia & New Zealand makes towards Bridgestone’s focus on a more sustainable society”.

The Bridgestone E8 Commitment was launched this year, committed to creating value through “purpose” and “process,” together with employees, society, its partners, and customers to realise a sustainable society. This will serve as the axis to drive management while earning the trust of future generations.

BSCAP’s victory in the CSR and ESG Leadership category was centred around the regional commitment to road safety activity – including the ongoing commitment of Bridgestone Australia & New Zealand to the RYDA road safety education program. The Bridgestone E8 Commitment values of ease and empowerment underpin this activity.

The RYDA program sees young drivers, or soon to be drivers, take part in a workshop which featuring a series of sessions led by expert facilitators who address laws, distractions, risk management, peripheral vision, and other important safety considerations for motorists.

Bridgestone Australia & New Zealand has supported RYDA the program since 2017. Each year, around 45,000 students from more than 650 school throughout Australia and New Zealand take part in workshops each year.

The Best Environmental Excellence Award recognised the significant contribution that Bridgestone’s Bandag retread business makes towards carbon emission reduction through renewable energy and water stewardship.

Local production in Queensland, Australia of Bandag retreads, which this year celebrated its 60th anniversary, is a case study for sustainable practices because of the reduced reliance on raw materials, energy, and water used in the production process – highlighted in Bridgestone’s Retreading for a Better World materials.

Bridgestone Australia & New Zealand’s Head of Sustainability & Communications, Jo Hayes, says the activity that has been showcased within our market complements the contributions Bridgestone makes on a broader scale.