Four Drawdown Georgia Business Compact Members Make Major Moves on Sustainability in the State
Brightmark, Alternative Energy Southeast, Yamaha, and Ascend Elements announce investment and initiatives in Georgia
This spring, four members of the Drawdown Georgia Business Compact (Compact) made meaningful strides in sustainability in the state, with announcements that include major investments in plastics recycling, educational efforts on energy innovation, installation of new solar panels for reducing CO2 emissions, and enhanced electric vehicle battery management, logistics and recycling. When members join the Compact, they not only share ways they see the collective impact of the Georgia business community adding value to their companies, but also outline the specific carbon reduction goals that they’re most interested in advancing in Georgia. These investments and initiatives move these companies closer to those goals.
Imagery of plastic recycling facility, courtesy of Brightmark.
Brightmark is a circular solutions company changing the way the world manages waste. The company recently announced a $950 million investment to create a 2.5 million-square-foot plastics circularity center in Thomaston. The facility will have the capacity to repurpose 400,000+ tons of plastic per year, four times more than the company’s first center in Indiana. Brightmark founder and CEO Bob Powell, a Georgia native, founded the company to “reimagine waste.” In an AJC article, Powell says, “This investment in Georgia represents a commitment to supporting economic longevity and playing an integral role in building a sustainable future together in my home state.”
Alternative Energy Southeast (AES) is a clean energy company focused on the design and installation of solar power energy systems in Georgia. The company’s founder Montana Busch and senior solar consultant Adam Hoyt were recently featured in Georgia Trend Magazine’s 2024 Economic Yearbook in which they shared their thoughts on innovations and technologies for businesses, including electric vehicles and solar energy. Busch points to the rise in commercial solar taking pressure off of the power grid. “Commercial installations are significant, because one commercial project can generate the same amount of power as 20 homes,” says Busch. AES has installed more than 700 solar power systems across the state to date.
Yamaha Motor Corporation has announced a new solar installation at the company’s regional headquarters in Kennesaw and at Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America in Newnan this summer. “The initiative supports Yamaha’s goal to reduce emissions produced as a direct result of business activities and achieve carbon neutrality within its manufacturing operations and facilities by 2035,” according to a new release featured in Yahoo Finance. “We anticipate the solar array in Kennesaw will supply about 60% of the facilities’ electricity needs,” says Mike Chrzanowski, president and CEO, Yamaha Motor Corporation. “At the Newnan facility we anticipate avoiding roughly 13,600 tons of carbon dioxide over the life of the array.”
Ascend Elements is a provider of sustainable lithium-ion battery materials and closed-loop recycling. This spring, the company announced a strategic partnership with Call2Recycle to provide end-to-end EV battery management, logistics, and recycling services for auto dealerships, recyclers, and repair facilities. “We’re excited to offer a comprehensive EV battery recycling and tracking program,” says Ian Braime, Ascend Elements’ chief commercial officer, in an article in Clean Technica. “This new program will help dealerships, repair shops and recyclers prepare for the wave of EV batteries that is expected in the coming years.” The company’s recycling facility in Covington is one of the largest EV battery recycling facilities in the country.
Are you a business leader in the state committed to sustainable solutions? Join other leading companies like these that are leveraging the collective impact of the Georgia business community to achieve net zero carbon emissions in the state. See how to Get Involved on the Compact’s website or email David Eady, director of industry engagement.