Bentley Motors is reducing the size of plastic covers on new cars as part of its goal to be the greenest luxury automaker. Image: Bentley Motors
Bentley Motors has been awarded ‘Net Zero Plastic to Nature’ status for a second consecutive year, accelerating its push toward sustainability as global pressure builds to protect the environment.
The accreditation from climate company South Pole followed a waste-stewardship appraisal of the British automaker’s campus and local operations.
“Bentley’s aim is to be the world’s most sustainable, luxury automotive brand,” said Andreas Lehe, board member for manufacturing at Bentley Motors, in a statement from the company’s Crewe, England, headquarters.
“Our Beyond100 strategy is reinventing every aspect of the business, and the Net Zero Plastic to Nature award is further proof of our efforts to address our environmental impact,” he said.
“For example, at our production headquarters in Crewe, we are working closely with our waste management suppliers to ensure that all waste is treated, while implementing plastic reduction and optimization initiatives to cut plastic usage.
“This includes a reduction in the overall size of our textile car covers and a new collaboration with our U.K. waste manager, Veolia, on the proper management of the waste it generates at our Crewe facility.
“Nevertheless, we are aware plastic usage extends beyond the manufacturing process. Plastics are used in the delivery of vehicles to dealerships and customers. These are all waste management concerns that we continue to address in our Beyond100 strategy.”
Bentley is one of the world’s leading luxury automakers, known for its Flying Spur sedan, Continental GT coupé and Bentayga SUV.
Bentley Motors is working to cut down the paper waste in its spare parts operations at the Crewe, England, manufacturing plant. Image: Bentley Motors
Pole vault
South Pole advises leading companies on their climate journeys to achieve net zero emissions.
With its global Climate Solutions platform, it helps organizations worldwide strategize to build resilience and turn climate action into long-term business opportunities. It is aligned with the aims of the Paris Agreement and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Bentley was the first carmaker to receive South Pole’s Net Zero Plastic to Nature certification in 2022.
Bentley Motors' decreased emphasis on plastic wrapping is part of its sustainability mission. Image: Bentley Motors
South Pole’s latest endorsement reflects the firm’s ongoing efforts to support ambitious environmental commitments, across its manufacturing operations to the end-consumer, Bentley said.
South Pole’s first in-depth appraisal in 2021 resulted in a widespread re-assessment of Bentley’s plastics footprint on the environment.
All inbound logistics packaging is processed by Bentley, including zero waste-to-landfill and export minimization. Image: Bentley Motors
The assessment covered operational macro-plastic parts packaging used in logistics and manufacturing, and the disposal of plastic protection downstream at global dealerships. It also assessed micro-plastic emissions from tire abrasion as part of the logistics and product lifecycle.
To secure Net Zero Plastic to Nature status in 2022, Bentley significantly increased the level of waste management and traceability for its plastic waste, with a successful achievement: 97 per cent of plastic waste was processed in 2022, lowering the non-processed plastic waste to be mitigated.
All inbound logistics packaging is processed, including zero waste-to-landfill and export minimization.
Bentley has invested in certified units supporting ‘Second Life Thailand,’ a plastic waste collection project focussing on ocean-bound and land plastic recovery, recycling and reuse. Image: Bentley Motors
Bentley subsequently invested in certified units supporting ‘Second Life Thailand,’ a plastic waste collection project focusing on ocean-bound and land plastic recovery, recycling and reuse.
THE AMOUNT OF funding towards mitigation matched the full volume of non-processed plastic waste found in 2022.
“South Pole has again supported Bentley with our global understanding of the company's plastics footprint,” said Sebastian Benndorf, director of production planning at Bentley, in a statement.
“The new waste stewardship appraisal has given Bentley a further insight into our global operations and the impact it has on the environment,” he said. “We continue to make every effort to ensure we achieve the aims of Beyond100 and tackle plastic waste issues head-on.”