MUSKEGON – West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum’s September membership meeting will feature a spotlight on sustainability at Harley-Davidson, beach clean-ups, and waste diversion. This month’s luncheon is at the Harley-Davidson Sustainability Spotlighted At Business Forum Institute in Muskegon September 14 from Noon to 2 pm.
The leading brand in an industry not traditionally known for sustainability, Harley-Davidson has made it one of the strategic pillars of its organization, directly linking its environmental and social impacts with its customers’ dreams of personal freedom and to the motorcycling experience. Its Renew the Ride initiative is effectively translating corporate social responsibility to an outlaw culture.
Among other accomplishments, Harley-Davidson is a nearly zero-landfill manufacturing operation (9.4 percent), has set sustainability goals for its supplier network, and last year unveiled a prototype electric vehicle, Project Livewire. It was honored as the Sustainability Leader of the Year this past year by the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council.
Rachel Schneider is Director of Sustainability and Strategic Planning for Harley-Davidson Motor Company, a position she has held since 2010. Previously she was a partner in the environmental law group of Quarles & Brady LLP. She is anactive member of the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation and a board member of the Alliance for the Great Lakes.
Also on the agenda is Jamie Cross, Adopt-a-Beach Manager for the Alliance for the Great Lakes. Jamie will provide an overview of an upcoming opportunity for employees to help clean up theGreat Lakes through a special annual global event that has real impacts here in the Great Lakes. She will also talk about what the Great Lakes provide to all us and some of the most critical threats facing them today. WMSBF Director Daniel Schoonmaker will also present Muskegon area findings from the Michigan Waste Characterization and Valuation Study.
