Bridgestone Americas Inc. said two of its North American tire manufacturing facilities have achieved zero waste to landfill.

The Nashville, Tenn.-based tire maker said in a news release its Aiken, S.C., plant achieved zero waste to landfill status in December 2012, and its Wilson, N.C., facility achieved that mark early in 2013. The plants have been able to divert from the manufacturing process all waste materials such as whole scrap tires, rubber components and packaging, as well as ancillary support processes such as offices and cafeterias. Waste from these facilities is sent to various beneficial-use markets, including energy generation and recycling into other products, like mulch.

Since the company made recycling and landfill diversion a focus in 2006, waste going to landfills has dropped from nearly half the total material generated to less than 15 percent currently.

"The teams at our Aiken and Wilson plants worked hard, and they take pride in being first to achieve zero waste to landfill. They know that our other plants are close on their heels," said Barry Owens, vice president, Bridgestone Americas Manufacturing Group.