Ford Goes Green for a Better Tomorrow

Feb 27
08:07

2012

Antoinette Ayana

Antoinette Ayana

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What are the green initiatives that Ford has put into place at some of its manufacturing plants and how do they lead to a healthier environment? Read on to learn more.

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When many people think of an auto manufacturing plant,Ford Goes Green for a Better Tomorrow Articles they think of dirt and pollution, which was the case until a few years ago through the engineering ideas of the new chief executive officer of Ford Motor Company, Bill Ford. With the company's successes of recent years, he wanted to make some changes on how the company was run and put into place some of these "green initiatives" at the Rouge River plant as a test model.

The leadership of the company decided that they wanted the Rouge River Plant to be the model for others to come. Starting November 2000 the plans were released for the redevelopment of the truck assembly plant, which would include sustainable and renewable resources. This major change is part of Ford's goal of being more conscious of the environment in the manufacturing process. It is a way to enhance the 1917 facility, built by Henry Ford himself, instead of moving its location, as many other companies would have done. It moves the company forward into the 21st century. The plant includes the country's largest living roof, which is made of several different varieties of sedum, to help lessen the amount of rainwater runoff. This living roof also helps reduce carbon dioxide in the air and releases oxygen into the air, which reduces greenhouse gases.

The new designs to the facility include walkways around the facility that are both people and environment friendly, as well as aid in safety around the complex, better lighting during the day so that plant workers can enjoy welcoming places to break, and cooler air in the summer months and warmer air in the winter due to the natural insulation from the green roof. These things will help manage storm water, energy, and air quality.

The green roof is not the only new environmentally friendly concept that was introduced. The project developers also added swales, which are green ditches that collect rainwater and regulate it so that the factory doesn't get flooded. They also put in prairie plantings to help keep the soil contaminant free. These plantings also provide natural habitats for the local songbirds and animals.

Besides a green roof, swales, and prairie plantings, they also introduced porous paving that catches all the pollutants in the pavement so the newly manufactured trucks sit in a pollution free zone while waiting to be picked up. The plant also partially runs on solar panel cells so that less energy is used daily.

These new green initiatives will help propel Ford into the future and give the world a better tomorrow.