The Chrysler Group has saved more than $50 million a year through a variety of environmental and energy efficiency moves.
The company has been able to reduce its CO2 emissions by 370,000 metric tons a year, or about the same as the emissions from four large manufacturing plants, according to a press release.
The cost saving projects were submitted in the company's Environmental Leadership Award program, an internal program that fosters energy efficiency and "pro-environmental thinking."
Nearly 30 projects were submitted to the awards program, now in its 16th year.
One of the projects, at the Trenton, Mich., South Engine Plant, is a new engine facility built on a brownfield site. The new factory incorporated 47 percent recycled material and sent zero waste to the landfill. It also is 39 percent more energy efficient than the factory it replaced.
In another effort, the Dealer Dedicated Delivery System was redesigned to eliminate 4.6 million miles of driving, which saved 722,000 gallons of fuel and 8,000 tons of emissions.
A dealership in New Town Square, Pa., was singled out for its 20 percent reduction in energy use as a result of using spent auto oil as heating fuel.