August 17, 2005

Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester today announced that Lear Corporation’s Corporate Campus in Southfield has been designated as a Michigan Clean Corporate Citizen in a voluntary program recognizing environmental stewardship.

“I offer my congratulations to the entire Lear team, and welcome them to this voluntary partnership of environmental performers,” said Director Chester. “They have taken a leadership role in greening the automotive supply chain and mentoring other businesses in environmentally-sustainable manufacturing practices.”

Lear Corporate Campus houses design, engineering, testing, prototyping, and administrative support for Lear’s automotive facilities worldwide. In 2004, the facility recycled over 50 percent of its waste, and reduced the use of electricity by 14 percent, natural gas by 12 percent, and water by 13 percent. In addition, the facility recycles employee batteries, cell phones, printer cartridges, and electronic equipment; and plastic bottles and cans are recycled by a local Boy Scout Troop. Strong environmental goals and programs are in place to further increase recycling and reduce energy consumption in 2005.

“We are proud of our Environmental Team on campus,” said Rebecca Spearot, Lear’s director of Environmental Management. “They enable our employees to understand and practice the fundamentals of environmental management and emergency preparedness.”

Lear Corporation was a founding member of the Suppliers Partnership (SP) for the Environment. SP is an innovative partnership between automobile original equipment manufacturers and their suppliers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Lear Corporation is also a member of the Original Equipment Suppliers Association Environmental, Health, and Safety Council; a charter member in the Southeast Michigan Sustainability Forum; and participates in the DEQ Michigan Business Pollution Prevention Partnership.

The Lear Corporate Campus has undertaken a brownfield redevelopment project by removing several old industrial and commercial buildings and returning the area to productive use, constructing a new headquarters, and creating greenspace areas that contain over 400 new trees. The redevelopment will also address storm water runoff to the Rouge River watershed with installation of below-grade retention and infiltration galleries, together with an innovative Rain Garden system to filter and clean the storm water.

The Lear Corporate Campus has been certified to the international ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems Standard since December 2001.

To qualify for a Clean Corporate Citizen designation, candidates must adopt a facility-specific environmental management system, active pollution prevention initiatives, and have a consistent record of compliance with applicable environmental requirements. The program is open to establishments regulated under any of Michigan’s environmental statutes. Designations are valid for one year and must be renewed annually. For more information on Clean Corporate Citizen designation please visit our Web page at www.michigan.gov/deqc3.

Editor’s note:   DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

“Protecting Michigan’s Environment, Ensuring Michigan’s Future”

Revised August 17, 2005 by Linda Brauker on behalf of Pat Watson