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Novelis to Cut Emissions 5 Percent

The aluminum products and recycling company committed to the 5 percent reduction for its 12 North American facilities, which have already reduced emissions 6 percent since 2003.

Aluminum products and recycling company Novelis has agreed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions from its North American operations 5 percent over the next five years.

Twelve facilities in the U.S. and Canada, including five recycling operations, will work to shave emissions as part of the company’s commitment to the Climate Leaders program. The 5 percent reduction is based on a 2007 baseline; the company reduced emissions in North America 6 percent since 2003.

The company said it will meet its goal by boosting the recycled content in its products and improving their recycling rates. Recycling aluminum represents a huge opportunity to slash the industry’s greenhouse gas emissions, the company said, since it avoid 95 percent of the energy and emissions needed to produce primary aluminum.

Novelis also intends to capitalize on aluminum’s weight attributes compared to other metals, such as iron or steel. Replacing two pounds of one of these heavier metals with aluminum in a car can reduce the vehicle’s emissions by 20 pounds over its lifetime.

Climate Leaders, an EPA program that helps companies create strategies to reduce emissions, now has 264 members. Its newest members include Alberto Culver Co., Cognizant, PSC Environmental Services, Town Sports International, UNFI and Urban Innovations.

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