GM Recognizes Supplier for Environmental Excellence

Mobile Fluid Recovery cited for unique recycling ideas including oil-soaked booms

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Jun 10, 2011, 10:30 ET

DETROIT, June 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Mobile Fluid Recovery, Inc., a Birmingham, Ala.-based absorbent materials recycler today received the General Motors Environmental Excellence Award for providing unique recycling ideas and collaborating on projects like turning oil-soaked booms from the Gulf of Mexico into Chevrolet Volt components.

Mobile Fluid Recovery first collaborated with GM 15 years ago on an eco-friendly method to process solvents from rags used to prepare vehicle surfaces for adhering emblems. Its work was instrumental in establishing a recycling process where those used rags were then turned into car parts. According to John Bradburn, GM's manager of waste-reduction efforts, the project was the first step in what's now a tradition of converting material byproducts into useful plant supplies or vehicle components.

"Suppliers are instrumental in helping us improve environmental performance and reduce waste streams," said Bradburn. "Mobile Fluid Recovery continues to be a valuable partner that advances projects that push the green envelope."

In the Gulf oil spill project, Mobile Fluid Recovery extracted the liquid from the boom material. Similar to a washing machine on spin cycle, it used a large high-speed drum to remove the oil and wastewater using a patented "free liquids" removal process. With the help of three other suppliers, 212,500 pounds and more than 200 miles of used booms were kept out of the nation's landfills.

"The success of this project was a true collaboration with GM and the entire supply chain," said Trevis Lyon, vice president, Mobile Fluid Recovery.

Mobile Fluid Recovery actively participates in the Suppliers Partnership for the Environment, a group approaching environmental protection through the business lens of the automobile supply chain.

"The relationships forged in the Suppliers Partnership group were a driving factor in creating a sustainable way to help in Gulf clean-up efforts," said Lyon.

Mobile Fluid Recovery is the sixth supplier recognized with GM's annual Environmental Excellence Award.

About General Motors

General Motors (NYSE: GM, TSX: GMM), one of the world's largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 202,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in more than 120 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 30 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Baojun, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Daewoo, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall, and Wuling. GM's largest national market is China, followed by the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and Italy. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.