Whirlpool Corporation wins MGSSBF 2018 Sustainability Leadership Award for Large Organizations

Michigan’s Great Southwest Sustainable Business Forum (MGSSBF) is presenting its 2018 Sustainability Leadership Award for Large Organizations to the Benton Harbor-based Whirlpool Corporation.Founded in 1911 by Lou and Emory Upton, Whirlpool Corporation is the world’s leading major home appliance manufacturer, with approximately $21 billion in annual sales; 92,000 employees; and 70 manufacturing and technology research centers. The more than 70 million products Whirlpool sells annually include well-known brand names Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Consul, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht, Jenn-Air and Indesit.

Environmentally conscious since 1970

The Whirlpool Corporation has a long history of being environmentally conscious, reaching back to 1970 when the Clean Air Act was adopted. Whirlpool has also had a longstanding partnership with EnergyStar, the government-backed program that provides simple, credible, unbiased information about a product’s energy efficiency to consumers and businesses.

“We’ve been a part of that program since its beginning and have been very supportive of it over the years,” says Maureen Stroud, senior manager of North American sustainability for Whirlpool. “It’s important for Whirlpool to focus on sustainability because we are the largest appliance manufacturer in the world. Sustainability is the right thing to do and it’s good for business.”

Developed by J.B. Hoyt before his retirement six years ago, Whirlpool’s appliance recycling programs haul away 100,000 units nationwide each year. MGSSBF is honoring Hoyt, one of its co-founders, with its 2018 Sustainability Leadership Award for Practitioner of the Year for this and his many other contributions to sustainability in southwestern Michigan.

“He was the catalyst for getting where we are today with sustainability initiatives,” Stroud says. “It was his idea that we have a sustainability team, not just actions in small pockets. He really pushed for dedicated resources to look at these issues. He left us that legacy.”

In 2005, Whirlpool reached its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent. In 2017, the corporation met its global energy and water reduction goals three years before its own 2020 deadline. At its LEED-certified global offices and technology research centers in St. Joseph and Benton Harbor, Whirlpool has initiated programs like water recycling in its laundry lab. Now, when appliances are tested to determine their lifespans, all water is filtered and reused. Another sustainability goal, Whirlpool plans on creating zero waste-to-landfill at its 47 manufacturing facilities around the world.

In order to ascertain if materials are sustainably sourced, Whirlpool requires full materials disclosure from its suppliers. Its sustainability team is also working on expanding the parameters of this initiative to include sourcing materials that meet social responsibility criteria.

Socially responsible —locally, nationally and globally

Whirlpool Foundation supports many local social programs as well as charities. On a national and regional scale, it supports Habitat for Humanity, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Susan G. Komen and United Way. The corporation also actively supports employees who give back to their communities through volunteer service.

Because Whirlpool considers its employee as its most important asset, the corporation seeks to provide benefits that inspire a winning culture and create competitive advantage. In 2017, maternity leave was extended to 12 weeks. By November 2019, it plans on opening the doors at a new company-sponsored daycare center on the world headquarters campus in Benton Charter Township.

“Whirlpool advances a company that prizes its impact on people’s lives in meaningful ways,” Stroud concludes. “We believe in making positive changes to our people’s lives and our customers’ lives.”