John Bradburn is manager of waste-reduction efforts at General Motors. In this role, he leads the company’s landfill-free initiative, which has resulted in more than 100 GM operations around the world that reuse, recycle, and convert to energy all wastes from daily operations.
John Bradburn is manager of waste-reduction efforts at General Motors. In this role, he leads the company’s landfill-free initiative, which has resulted in more than 100 GM operations around the world that reuse, recycle, and convert to energy all wastes from daily operations. John is an established expert in waste reduction and recycling, and frequently mentors other companies pursuing zero-waste goals.
John’s responsibilities also include directing the company’s design-for-the-environment program, implementing sustainable processes and technologies that reduce the company’s environmental impact and costs. He collaborates with suppliers, product and manufacturing engineers, and external stakeholder groups.
Under John’s leadership, GM recycled or reused 90 percent of waste generated globally through various resource conservation efforts in 2011. Between 2000 and 2010, the company reduced nonrecycled manufacturing waste by 73 percent.
John is frequently called on to speak at various sustainability-focused events, such as last year’s Corporate Waste & Recycling Conference and Green Chemistry Conference. He has been recognized by the Society of Automotive Engineers with four Environmental Excellence in Transportation awards for material development and reuse and recycling projects.
John also serves as the materials efficiency work group chairman for the Suppliers Partnership for the Environment, a forum GM helped found where suppliers share environmental best practices and ideas. He is a member of the board of trustees for Goodwill Industries’ Green Works subsidiary and an executive advisory committee member for the U.S. Business Council for Sustainable Development. He volunteers as assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scouts of America Troop 238, mentoring youth in sustainability efforts for 20 years running.
