The result was a material recovery operation located inside the facility, responsible for the segregation and recycling of polyethylene, metal banding, plastic drums, foam packaging wrappers, cardboard, metals, scrap wire, glass, rubber, wood pallets, several types of plastics, and other miscellaneous recyclables. This program allows for cost-effective sorting and recycling of even small volumes of materials that typically would not be recycled. Since this program began in 1992, there has been a 50,000 pound per month reduction in trash going to the landfill. The plant has been using returnable packaging for internal parts and some external materials for many years. For example, the use of returnable packaging for timers has eliminated almost 350 tons per year of cardboard scrap.
Most chemicals also come in returnable containers, often in bulk quantities.
It has been widely recognized for its pollution prevention efforts. Looking Ahead Whirlpool, Clyde Division, currently is completing installation of a coating process for washing machine cabinets that will partially replace a current process. This will result in reductions in both volatile organic compounds and solid waste generation. Objectives will continue to be set annually that place incentives for reducing the amount of waste generated throughout the plant. Several projects listed in the division's strategic plan identify environmental benefits that will help achieve pollution reductions at the source through changes in processes and raw material reformulations.