Livecycle Overall 7
1.2 Production
The E-Class is built at the Mercedes plant in Sindelfingen.
An environmental management system certified in accor-
dance with EU eco-audit regulations and ISO standard
14001 has been in place at the Sindelfingen plant since
1995. The painting technology used at the Sindelfingen
plant, for example, boasts a high standard not only in
technological terms but also with regard to environmental
protection and workplace safety. Service life and value
retention are further increased through the use of a clear
coat, whose state-of-the-art nanotechnology ensures much
greater scratch-resistance than conventional paint. Through
the use of water-based paints and fillers, solvent emissions
have been drastically reduced. Continuous process opti-
mization also helps to save energy. By cutting down the air
supply during weekend operations and extending the pro-
cess window, for example, an annual saving of 6.4 gigawatt
hours of energy was made. This equates to CO₂ savings of
around 2,200 tons annually.
1.3 After Sales
High environmental standards arealso firmly established
in the environmental management systems in the sales
and after-sales sectors at Mercedes-Benz. At dealer level,
Mercedes-Benz meets its product responsibility with the
MeRSy recycling system for workshop waste, used parts
and warranty parts andpackaging materials. This exemplary
service by an automotive manufacturer is implemented right
down to customer level. The waste materials produced in
our outlets during servicing and repairs are collected,
reprocessed and recycled via a network operating through-
out Germany. Classic components include bumpers, side
panels, electronic scrap, glass andtyres.
The reuse of used parts also has a long tradition at
Mercedes-Benz. The Mercedes-Benz Used Parts Center
(GTC) was established back in 1996. With its quality-tested
used parts, the GTC is an integral part of the service and
parts operations for the Mercedes-Benz brand and makes
an important contribution to the appropriately priced repair
of Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
Although the reuse of Mercedes passenger cars lies in
the distant future in view of their long service life,
Mercedes-Benz offers a new, innovative procedure for the
rapid disposal of vehicles in an environmentally friendly
manner and free of charge.
For convenient recycling, a comprehensive network of
collection points and dismantling facilities is available to
Mercedes customers. Owners of used cars can find out
all the important details relating to the return of their
vehicles via the free phone number 00800 1 777 7777.
