Boeing has announced that the global mobility systems facility in Macon, Georgia has earned international certification for environmental performance.

The facility earned International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 14001 certification thanks to its commitment understand and continuously improve its environmental performance.

The Macon site, which produces structural subassemblies for the C-17 Globemaster III advanced airlifter and supports the CH-47 Chinook helicopter programme, is the first Boeing facility to receive ISO 14001 certification in 2009. Boeing last year successfully expanded ISO 14001 certification to 16 manufacturing facilities in the United States, Australia and Canada.

Macon site leader Reed Morren said that achieving ISO 14001 certification reinforces Macon’s commitment to environmental excellence.

“This global standard bolsters our initiatives for reducing pollution and waste, increasing recycling rates and improving energy efficiency, which benefits Boeing and our entire community,” Morren said.

The auditors commended the Macon site for its significant reduction in energy consumption and the implementation of a Lean+ checklist into all Lean processes.

Since the introduction of the first Boeing jetliner, airplane emissions of carbon dioxide have been reduced by around 70% and noise footprints have been reduced by approximately 90%.

Boeing targets improving fuel efficiency and reducing carbon dioxide emissions of each new generation of commercial airplane by at least 15% compared with the airplanes they replace.

Boeing has set aggressive targets to increase solid-waste-recycling rates and energy efficiency by 25% and to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions intensity by 25 percent at its major manufacturing facilities by 2012, with a comparable goal for hazardous-waste reduction.

By Daniel Garrun.