3M has released its 2009 sustainability report that shows its environmental progress over nearly 20 years.
The global company reports that it has achieved a 95 percent reduction in both absolute volatile air emissions and absolute U.S. TRI releases, a 62 percent reduction in absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and a 64 percent reduction in solid waste (indexed to net sales) from 1990 to 2008.
Currently, the company has implemented an aggressive energy and GHG management strategy, which includes developing a 3rd-party certified GHG inventory; continuously improving GHG accounting systems; setting voluntary GHG emissions reduction goals, and reducing the company's GHG footprint through process improvements, energy conservation and controls.
3M is also developing a range of environmental products that help its customers reduce their energy use and GHG emissions. The company offers several product catalogs to address environmental challenges in the following markets: cleaning and maintenance, construction and industrial production, communications, office supplies, transportation, and health care.
In 2009, the company formed a renewable energy division, which aims to help maximize the company's technologies, products and responsiveness for the renewable energy industry. And the company's ubiquitous Post-it-Notes have been certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).
