3M's energy efficiency efforts date back to 1973, when the 3M Energy Management Department was formed. Improvements result from employee programs that increase energy efficiency of existing operations, new equipment and facilities designed to be energy efficient, and the development of new, more energy efficient 3M products and processes. Using Life Cycle Management, new product development teams work to improve the energy efficiency of 3M products. They consider energy efficiency in their choices of raw materials, product formulations and manufacturing processes.
To drive continuous improvement in energy management, the company has set a goal to improve energy efficiency by 20% from 2005 - 2010. This goal is on top of previous energy efficiency efforts which have achieved 80 percent improvement in energy efficiency at 3M's U.S. operations since 1973 and 43 percent improvement in energy efficiency at 3M's operations worldwide since 1998. During 2008, 3M implemented 212 energy projects which saved over $9.7 million. 3M has realized $37 million of energy savings from its 2005 base year by implementing more than 1,400 employee-inspired projects. We continue to adopt new methods to improve energy-efficiency, including the use of Six Sigma methodology and increasing our use of alternative, renewable energy.
Results:
•80 percent improvement in energy efficiency at 3M's U.S. operations since 1973 •43 percent improvement in energy efficiency at 3M's operations worldwide since 1998 •19 percent improvement in energy efficiency from 2005 – 2008
In 2007, 3M exceeded its Climate Leaders goal by reducing absolute GHG emissions in the U.S. by 60% since 2002. Going forward, the company is driving additional reductions beyond its operations by developing products that help 3M customers reduce energy use and GHG emissions.
In 2009, 3M received the ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award for Energy Management from the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy in recognition of continuous improvement in energy management. 2009 marked the sixth year in a row that 3M has been recognized by ENERGY STAR — a record for an industrial company.
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