Automotive plant wins environmental award

Chrysler Group’s new facility in Trenton, Michigan, South Engine Plant, has received LEED Gold certification. The automaker claims it is the only engine manufacturing plant to receive this award in the world and one among four auto manufacturing facilities to achieve LEED certification.

LEED is a US-based program that certifies high-performance green buildings based on their design, construction and operation. The program is being administered by the United States Green Building Council. Certification is awarded based on five key parameters: water management, material use, site planning, indoor environmental quality, and energy.

The Trenton South facility, which is constructed on a brownfield site, has helped Chryler reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by more than 12,000 metric tons, cut energy costs by $1.25 million, and save 1.5 million gallons of water annually.

The project used 44 percent recycled materials, and more than 90 percent or about 6,750 tons of construction waste was diverted from landfills and recycled. The project also sourced more than 80 percent of the building materials from regional sources.