How do environmental considerations influence your design and manufacturing processes?
We look at design, manufacturing, supply chain, maintenance and operation, and end-of-life all from an environmental perspective. Life-cycle analysis helps you understand the environmental impact of a product much better. It is what provides the information for the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). Our all-new C Series aircraft will be issued with an EPD when they enter service, which will be an industry first.
How will the EPD increase the competitiveness of the C Series?
Part of the reason we are pursuing the EPD was because our train division does it too. This is an overall objective we have, producing EPDs for all new products that we make as an organization. The other reason is because we recognize there is much more environmental focus than there has ever been before. The best way to communicate this is in a transparent way. The EPD allows us to do that. All the information in it will be externally verified.
“As an aircraft producer we need to extend our responsibilities by looking at end-of-life solutions.”
Bruce Parry, Head of Sustainability, Product Development Engineering, Bombardier
What is the potential for recycling aircraft parts?
The recoverability and recyclability of an aircraft is about 85%. We are a member of AFRA, the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association, which is looking collectively at this issue as an industry. We feel we have a responsibility to help customers find solutions for their aircraft when they come to the end of their lives
