In keeping with its theme, the colour brochure is printed with vegetable-based inks on FSC label recycled paper, and is aimed at all organisations and groups interested in the company, including shareholders, government authorities, journalists, car manufacturers and other business partners.
According to Bridgestone, the company plays a significant role in helping car manufacturers meet their targets of reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The brochure explains how fuel consumption can be cut by reducing tyre rolling resistance, and outlines some of the technologies developed by Bridgestone to achieve this.
The main body of the report presents the environmental impact of Bridgestone’s products and manufacturing processes following the scheme of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). This evaluation technique looks at the total environmental impact in terms of resources and releases 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.
The report also highlights the ecological impact of consumer behaviour. It shows how maintaining tyres properly and at the correct inflation pressure reduces both fuel consumption and emissions. This is one of the objectives of the global “Think Before You Drive” campaign – a joint initiative between Bridgestone and the FIA Foundation (FÉdÉration Internationale de l’Automobile) – which aims to improve road safety by promoting more responsible driving habits and car maintenance, including tyre care.
For those not wishing to harm even recycled trees, the report is also available in electronic form at Bridgestone Europe’s Web site. Initially only an English language version is available, however those of you who cannot read these words will be able to receive the publication in other languages in the near future.
The report can be found at www.bridgestone.eu/corporate/environment in the ‘downloads’ section. (Tyres & Accessories/Staffordshire, U.K.)
