Fact Sheet: Auto Industry Pollution Prevention Project

Office of Waste Reduction Services
State of Michigan
Departments of Commerce and Natural Resources

January 1992

Under a grant from the U.S. EPA, the State of Michigan's Office of Waste Reduction Services is taking the lead for the Great Lakes States on the development and implementation of the Auto Industry Pollution Prevention Project.

The Auto Industry Pollution Prevention Project (Auto Project) is a partnership between government and the auto industry to promote voluntary pollution prevention. The project emphasizes source reduction of persistent toxic substances that adversely affect the Great Lakes, and is one of several initiatives being undertaken as part of the Great Lakes Pollution Prevention Action Plan. Participation in the Auto Project is voluntary and is intended to demonstrate that government and business can work cooperatively to protect the environment.

The Office of Waste Reduction Services (OWRS) has worked with Chrysler, Ford, General Motors and the Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association of the United States, Inc. (MVMA) to develop an action plan for the Auto Project. The action plan is contained in an agreement reached between the MVMA on behalf of the auto companies and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR).

The auto industry was asked to participate in a voluntary pollution prevention program because it is a principal manufacturing sector in the Great Lakes region. Automobile equipment manufacturers operate approximately 180 plants in the Great Lakes states and Ontario, many of which are located in the Great Lakes basin. Additionally, thousands of firms within the basin serve as suppliers to the industry. The reduction in releases of persistent toxic substances by this industry can have a significant, beneficial impact on the Great Lakes environment.

Under the Auto Project, the auto companies and MDNR have agreed to a list of persistent toxics which will be targeted for pollution prevention. The auto companies are evaluating which of these substances are used in their operations. In addition, each company will:

The OWRS is managing the Auto Project and will be working directly with the auto companies and their suppliers on pollution prevention efforts. The OWRS will take responsibility for advising the EPA on the status of the program, and eliciting the involvement of, and coordinating with the Great Lakes states and provinces.

As part of the Auto Project, Michigan, MVMA and the auto companies have agreed to establish a process for addressing regulatory issues that may need to be resolved in order for voluntary pollution prevention efforts to be successful.

The auto companies committed to the project in April of 1991 and it is intended to be an ongoing program. As a voluntary program, the Auto Project gives participating companies maximum flexibility to determine appropriate pollution prevention activities. It provides the opportunity for government and the auto industry to cooperatively address significant environmental issues in the Great Lakes region.

Office of Waste Reduction Services
Departments of Commerce and Natural Resources
P.O. Box 30004
Lansing, Michigan 48909-7504
517-335-1178 or 1-800-NO-2-WASTE


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Last Updated: November 10, 1995