ELYRIA, Ohio — Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC has once again earned the Silver Award in the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Encouraging Environmental Excellence (E3) Program.
The company is among five Ohio-based organizations to be honored with this achievement, which celebrates businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies for their widespread commitment to environmental stewardship through multiple efforts. Bendix previously earned the E3 Silver Award in 2017.
Following an unanticipated delay in the EPA’s announcement of the award, Bendix was selected for the honor because of its stewardship activities, frameworks, and achievements implemented during 2018 across four major areas, according to the Ohio EPA:
- Waste diversion, recycling, and composting efforts
- Energy-efficiency upgrades
- Use of compostable service ware
- Investments in sustainable manufacturing
“We’re incredibly proud of the commitment that Bendix team members continue to demonstrate – across locations, divisions, and departments – to establish and maintain the highest possible performance standards for health, safety, and environmental performance,” said Maria Gutierrez, Bendix director of corporate responsibility and sustainability.
Gutierrez continued, “A major component of our success in environmental stewardship has also been the organization’s continued internal support for sustainability initiatives at all levels. This is what empowers all of us to continue raising the bar on sustainability both inside and outside of Bendix. While it’s clear that these efforts are impacting the bottom line, even more important is their effect on our people and communities. We’re raising the quality of life for our employees and their families, and we’re heightening sustainability in our communities.”
Bendix’s commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen with regard to health, safety, and environmental policy begins by setting high-performance standards for all three areas and developing a structured plan to reach them. The company also incorporates its social and environmental standards into everyday business processes to ensure the company’s long-term success, while generating benefits for society.
The numerous environmental stewardship achievements documented by Bendix during the award period included completing ISO14001:2015 transition audits at all 11 of its facilities, achieving reduced waste and recycling goals, and completing energy-efficiency improvements to reduce consumption. Bendix also hosted a variety of initiatives to promote environmental stewardship, including Earth Week celebrations, America Recycles Day activities, and numerous recycling programs.
The company’s internal Green Team is instrumental in many of these activities. This group of employees works to raise awareness of sustainable resource consumption both by the organization and by individuals, and provides information, resources, and ideas on to how to live and work more sustainably.
“Earning the Ohio EPA’s E3 award is a testament to the environmental stewardship practices evident at all levels of the company,” said Bill Schubert, Bendix corporate manager, environmental and sustainability. “Examples of our sustainable operations are evident in the products we make and remanufacture; the processes we depend on at every location, every day; and our continued commitment to zero-waste operations and reduced energy consumption.”
The Ohio EPA’s E3 Program recognizes organizations for going above and beyond compliance requirements while demonstrating environmental excellence. The program outlines a four-level approach to recognizing Ohio organizations completing environmentally beneficial activities. It awards Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Achievement levels of recognition for outstanding accomplishments in environmental stewardship, environmental stewardship programs, and commitments to meet or exceed environmental regulatory requirements.
About Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, a member of the Knorr-Bremse Group, develops and supplies leading-edge active safety technologies, energy management solutions, and air brake charging and control systems and components under the Bendix brand name for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, tractors, trailers, buses, and other commercial vehicles throughout North America. An industry pioneer, employing more than 3,400 people, Bendix is driven to deliver solutions for improved vehicle safety, performance, and overall operating cost. Contact us at 1-800-AIR-BRAKE (1-800-247-2725) or visit bendix.com. Stay connected and informed through Bendix expert podcasts, blog posts, videos, and other resources at knowledge-dock.com. Follow Bendix on Twitter at twitter.com/Bendix_CVS. Log on and learn from the Bendix experts at brake-school.com. And to learn more about career opportunities at Bendix, visit bendix.com/careers.
