Operations

Shenyang Plant Achieved Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Electricity during 2022

Nicknamed China’s “green factory" in 2019, the Shenyang plant has taken a monumental step toward improved sustainability by harnessing wind energy to reduce its GHG emissions. This allowed Shenyang to reduce its emissions by 2247 tons of GHG (CO2e). To achieve Xylem’s 2025 goals while also working closely with local authorities and regional partners, the majority of electricity consumption at the plant in 2022 originated from clean and renewable sources.

Strong winds in the north of China make wind power a reliable and sustainable option in the area. At the same time, due to the short hours of daylight and cold weather, solar power is not as well suited to local conditions. 

Facility in Water-Stressed Chihuahua, Mexico, Implements Responsible Water Use Practices

Some of our facilities treat non-potable water without the use of chemicals to independently verify drinking water standards through continuous remote monitoring, allowing us to adjust treatment as necessary. For example, our facility in Chihuahua, Mexico, is located in a region of high-risk to water-stresses. This facility uses Xylem products to enhance the quality of reused water in a pump washing water recirculation loop. In 2022, it was estimated that 113,000 gallons were reused on such processes.

Zero process waste to landfill for some sites in China, India, Italy, Germany, Mexico, Philippines, Sweden, UAE, United States, and United Kingdom

To minimize the amount of waste being sent to landfills and incinerators, we work with our waste contractors to direct materials to be recycled and reused to the extent feasible. We also implement internal activities such as Point Kaizens and other continuous improvement initiatives to eliminate or reduce waste from our operations. Since 2014, we have improved waste reduction reporting by our facilities, internal waste reduction efforts and cooperation with our outside partners. 

12 of our sites — Auburn, USA; Calamba, Phillipines, Chihuahua, Mexico,  Dubai, UAE; Emmaboda, Sweden; Herford, Germany; Montecchio, Italy; Nanjing, China; Quenington, UK; Shenyang, China; Texarkana, USA, Vadodara, India — have already achieved our 2025 Goal of zero process waste to landfill, mainly due to a large scale recycle/reuse program implemented on site supported by the locally available infrastructure.

Sustainable packaging in USA, Mexico, Sweden, and Italy

We estimate that more than 75 percent of the packaging material used at Xylem is recyclable, reusable or compostable. Five major facilities (Auburn, New York, USA; Chihuahua, Mexico; Emmaboda, Sweden; Montecchio, Italy; and Morton Grove, Illinois, USA) accounting for approximately 50 percent of the total packaging material cost, were selected to pilot a robust sustainable packaging plan to be replicated across the organization. To promote sustainability in our product packaging, we also launched an enterprise-wide Sustainability Packaging Task Force to guide our global strategy. 

Key components of the strategy include:

• Packaging material content. Utilizing certified renewable content (chain of custody certification) for our product packaging. This provides confirmation that Xylem’s packaging materials come from environmentally and socially responsible sources.
• Packaging filler. Using recyclable material for packaging filler, eliminating the use of foam and reducing the use of plastics.
• Digitalize product instruction manuals. Delivering available technical information to our customers through a QR code, reducing waste and applying available technology to access to that information.
• Sustainable ink. Using inks free of substances of high concern, heavy metals or other undesirable components is a visible way to demonstrate our commitment to sustainable packaging for our customers.