Novelis Inc. published its fiscal year 2017 Sustainability Report, detailing continued progress against the company’s ongoing sustainability commitments and goals.
In fiscal year 2017, Novelis achieved key sustainability milestones 2 years ahead of target, including increasing the use of high recycled metal content inputs to 55 percent, and reducing its water usage to the fiscal year 2020 target of 2.7 cubic meter/metric tons. These sustainable gains were achieved during a record year of financial performance and are a result of increased operational efficiencies and technical innovation throughout the company’s 24 facilities around the world.
Safety remains a top priority for the company, with fiscal year 2017 representing another record low in recordable safety incidents as 11 of the company’s 24 facilities saw no recordable injuries. Process improvements and new safety measures continue to be evaluated to enable Novelis to reach its goal of zero injuries. The waste to landfill and energy intensity rates both increased over the last year and are key areas of focus for fiscal year 2018.
Given the infinitely-recyclable properties of aluminum, recycling aluminum produces 95 percent fewer GHG emissions and requires 95 percent less energy than primary aluminum production. These properties enable Novelis to achieve lower GHG emissions and drive sustainable value across its business segments of beverage can, automotive and high-end specialties. For example, in the beverage can industry, Novelis recycles approximately 65 billion used beverage cans a year, returning them to store shelves in approximately 60 days. In the automotive space, Novelis helps customers achieve their sustainability goals through scrap metal collection and recycling. In partnership with Ford Motor Company, 90 percent of its scrap was collected and recycled – enough to produce an additional 30,000 F-150 truck bodies per month.
Other important achievements from fiscal 2017 include:
•In partnership with Jaguar Land Rover, Novelis reclaimed 50,000 tons of aluminum scrap, which is equivalent to 200,000 Jaguar XE body shells – preventing 500,000 tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.
•The global Novelis workforce supported 317 community projects and committed more than $4 million in support of global and local causes aligned with Novelis’ long-term focus areas of recycling, safety, and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.
•The company pledged $1 million to Habitat for Humanity International over the next five years, a 100 percent increase over Novelis’ financial contribution during the previous five years.
Published in the November 2017 Edition of American Recycler News
