Solvent usage and waste to landfill are tracked globally as key indicators for minimizing our environmental impact. As a result of associated reduction initiatives, Goodyear is continuously moving toward its goal of "No One Gets Hurt" by minimizing human exposure to chemical solvents and the environmental impacts of landfill waste.

Natural and synthetic rubber mixes are used in manufacturing rubber products, and the processing can result in volatile organic compound emissions. Organic solvents, which also may be used, make important contributions to safety, durability, ride and traction characteristics, and other factors that provide Goodyear products with distinctive competitive advantages. Efforts continue to reduce organic solvent usage, seeking less harmful substitutes when solvent usage is required, without sacrificing the quality of our product. Goodyear's "Best in Class" program, established in 2004 to identify solvent usage for each step in the manufacturing process for each tire type, continues to drive reductions in solvent usage globally. Highlights include solvent reduction at our Ballabgarh, India facility, where daily solvent usage was reduced 26 percent by following "Best in Class" techniques. Goodyear's efforts to reduce solvent usage contribute to a safer working environment for our operators and reduce emissions to the environment, continuing with our commitment that "No One Gets Hurt." Since 2001, Goodyear has globally reduced the amount of solvents purchased per ton of product by 32 percent.

Goodyear evaluates all potential waste by the 3-R principle that focuses first on reduction, then reuse and finally recycling before sending any material to a landfill. Since landfill waste historically has had a significant environmental impact - due to the loss of reusable resources and the potential contamination that may result from landfilled materials - Goodyear prioritizes the reduction in the amount of waste that it sends to landfills. Since 2001, Goodyear has globally reduced by 31 percent the amount of landfilled waste per ton of product. In addition, Goodyear assures that all waste management is conducted in an appropriate manner through a vigorous Waste Vendor Audit program.

Goodyear's resource conservation practices link productivity and prudent resource management, and encompass manufacturing, support systems, and human and natural resources. Opportunities and creative ideas to lower energy consumption and to reduce, reuse and recycle by-products and finished products are actively sought and evaluated. Rising costs have added emphasis to the efficiency and conservation programs that have successfully reduced Goodyear's energy consumption. Goodyear's tire plant in Americana, Brazil served as a pilot for a self-audit system for energy usage. Tire plants in Americana and Colombia were recognized for excellence in energy management. In its Asia-Pacific operations, Goodyear's tire plant in Ballabgarh earned the country's National Energy Certificate of Merit, recognized for making successive reductions in energy usage per pound of product by 29 percent over five years.

Goodyear's world headquarters began a process of converting from a central utility system to local subsystems to improve flexibility, lower its cost structure, and improve emissions. Retail operations carried out energy improvements at company-owned stores, in some cases reducing energy use as much as 40 percent. Goodyear's chemical operations in Houston began a conversion process to change refrigeration systems to direct electric drive, dramatically reducing direct fuel use while improving overall efficiency.

Goodyear believes product stewardship addresses the potential health and environmental concerns of customers, associates and neighbors related to all operations and products. Responsibility covers the complete supply chain, from raw-material selection and product design through customer communications, product support and responsible disposal. Chemists, biologists, and other professionals work with Goodyear research chemists and design engineers to develop effective teams for addressing each area. Goodyear also works closely with suppliers' chemists to review raw materials. Several programs are underway to develop new substitute materials with reduced potential for health and environmental impacts.

In addition, Goodyear's Environmental Health and Safety organizations established and integrated an environmental, health and safety project review system to verify that all modifications to materials, processes, equipment or operating rate are checked for environmental, safety and ergonomic considerations. It encompasses all facets of operations worldwide.

Responsible product stewardship continues beyond the anticipated and intended use of the company's products. Radial tire production contributes relatively little to overall environmental impacts. Most scrap tires are used as fuel, conserving natural resources and resulting in a product's end of life having the lowest environmental impact. Tires are complex composites of many types of rubber, fabric, steel and other materials that, in general, are not biodegradable. Because these components and overall qualities greatly limit tire disposal and the ability to recycle, Goodyear continues to seek and develop scraptire management options.

Goodyear's philosophy of including the environment as part of its initiatives is taken to heart by its numerous global operations, resulting in third-party recognition of the company's commitment to ensure that "No One Gets Hurt."