GM's Baltimore Operations Facility Is a Sustainability Winner

GM's Baltimore Operations facility is located 12 miles from downtown Baltimore. The 471,000 sq. ft. facility sits on 65 acres but it is its sustainability efforts that stand out. It sends none of its daily waste to landfill, generates nine percent of its electricity from the sun and has earned a wildlife habitat certification. Besides, the site is a two-time recipient of the Maryland Green Registry Leadership Award and first-place winner of Baltimore Business Journal's Green Business Awards. This award recognizes the company's strong commitment to sustainable practices, measurable results and continual improvement. It is the only award winner to win more than once.

Recently 50 people who were in Baltimore for the Wildlife Habitat Council's Annual Symposium visited the site. They toured the facility and surrounding property to see firsthand how the company is reducing its environmental impact.

The visit was led by environmental engineer, Mike Martinko. Participants learned about various recycling operations before stepping outside to see a pollinator garden, an acre of habitat surrounding a retention pond, blue bird nesting boxes, and a large hill created from a building expansion project now planted with native wildflower seeds. In addition, a variety of trees stand tall on the property, including swamp white oak, elderberry, button bush, white pine, and redbuds.

The habitat's efforts have two purposes: preservation and education. GM's GREEN program enables employees to become volunteers and work alongside Earth Force and BioEYES, a local environmental organization, to help local students protect rivers, lakes and streams while helping them understand how everyday actions impact local watersheds.

GM's sustainability efforts are not limited to Baltimore. The company also manages nearly 2,500 acres dedicated to wildlife habitats across its global operations, working with various local schools, non-governmental organizations, nonprofits and environmental preservation groups to enhance these areas and increase community awareness about preservation.

Image credit: GM