Leading the Way to Eco-Friendly Profits Some major manufacturers have decided to do more than reduce waste and clean up pollution. They are developing products and processes that make it profitable to be environmentally friendly. DUPONT has co-developed 3GT, a bioengineered polyester fabric made from cornstarch that is lower in cost than oil-based polyester and can be recycled indefinitely. SONOCO has created a rectangular ''paper can'' for Lipton Ice Tea that is 70% recyclable. 3M has developed a plastic coating for the Navy to replace paint on trucks, ships, and trains. It's lighter than paint--which leads to greater fuel efficiency. S.C. JOHNSON reformulated Raid roach killer, converting from a solvent-based to a water-based formula. ELECTROLUX' environmental products--including solar-powered lawn mowers, chain saws lubricated with vegetable oil, and water-saving washing machines--generated 3.8% higher profits last year than the company's conventional products. TOYOTA is introducing a hybrid car that gets 66 mph on a combination of gasoline and electricity. A. FINKL & SONS, a Chicago steel forger, recycles more than 95% of its solid waste and has cut energy use by 36.4% over 10 years, making it one of the most efficient forgers in the world. BRITISH PETROLEUM has invested $160 million in developing solar energy and is building a completely solar-powered Olympic village for the 1998 Summer Games in Australia. Return to main story

Updated Oct. 30, 1997 by bwwebmaster
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