Otis’ Florence Factory Achieves Zero-Waste-to-Landfill Certification

Otis’ Florence, South Carolina, factory achieved Gold-level Total Resource and Use Efficiency (TRUE) certification for its zero waste efforts, the company announced on December 21. The plant is the first in the elevator industry and the first in South Carolina to be TRUE certified. As part of its environmental, social and corporate governance targets, Otis aims to have all its factories eligible for zero-waste-to-landfill certification by 2025. Administered by Green Business Certification Inc., the TRUE rating system requires facilities to divert at least 90% of non-hazardous solid waste from landfills, incineration and the environment by adopting sustainable waste-management practices. The Florence facility keeps nearly 98% of all site-generated waste out of landfills or incinerators. The plant recycled 6.62 million lb of sheet metal from August 2021 to July 2022, and it reduced the overall amount of sheet metal used by 1.2 million lb from its 2019 baseline. Additional examples of the factory’s sustainable practices include generating approximately 25% of energy requirements from on-site solar panels, using LED lighting throughout the facility and embarking on multiple projects to reduce packaging waste.