Published 10-01-02
Submitted by Alcoa Inc.
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylnania - Alcoa Executive Vice President G. John Pizzey urged The Aluminum Association to adopt an ambitious approach to sustainable development that positions the organization and its members as leaders and innovators during a presentation at the trade organization's 69th Annual Meeting in Washington D.C. yesterday. Mr. Pizzey also announced that Alcoa has established a new corporate recycling usage goal: By 2020, 50% of Alcoa products, except raw ingot that is sold to others directly, will be made from recycled aluminum.
Mr. Pizzey recommended that as an industry we continue to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and focus on efficiency as the key to emissions reductions. "At Alcoa, we have a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2010 from a base year of 1990. I'm pleased to tell you that we have already reached 90% of our goal."
He also suggested that greenhouse gas emission reduction measures start at the shop floor and assessment tools, such as Life Cycle Analysis, be applied to measure the long-term value of aluminum products and the renewable nature of aluminum, and to communicate those characteristics to stakeholders.
New Alcoa Recycling Usage Goal
"Sustainability requires environmental excellence, economic success and social responsibility," Mr. Pizzey told the attendees. "At Alcoa, we have developed a strategic framework that allows each of our businesses worldwide to develop its own goals and action plans within that framework." These goals will serve as milestones along the way to Alcoa's ultimate vision of a company where:
- All wastes have been eliminated
- Products are designed for the environment
- The environment is fully integrated into manufacturing
- The workplace is free of injuries, spills and leaks, and
- Alcoa is recognized as a leader and partner in every community where it has operations.
Mr. Pizzey also announced a new corporate sustainability goal that Alcoa is undertaking that by 2020, 50% of Alcoa products, except raw ingot that is sold to others directly, will be made from recycled aluminum.
In announcing the goal, Mr. Pizzey said, "In a little over a century of use, aluminum has a proven record of renewable use; about two-thirds of aluminum ever produced - 440 million tons of a total 680 million tons manufactured since 1886 - is still in use. Setting this goal will allow us to build on that record of a truly sustainable metal."
Mr. Pizzey said aluminum producers must define their commitment to sustainability with visible and disseminated results. "Unless we are perceived to be a sustainable enterprise, new smelters will not be permitted, new mines will not be allowed, new residue ponds will not be approved and electric power projects for our industry will not be built."
To read entire speech: http://www.alcoa.com/global/en/environment/further_reading.asp To learn more about Alcoa's environmental goals, visit http://www.alcoa.com/global/en/environment/goals.asp
Alcoa (NYSE:AA) is the world's leading producer and manager of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina facilities, and is active in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components, Alcoa also markets consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap® foils and plastic wraps, Alcoa® wheels, and Baco® household wraps. Among its other businesses are closures, fastening systems, precision castings, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks. The company has 129,000 employees in 44 countries and has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com
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