In September and October 2010, we conducted an environmental project, similar to last year's program. The project was done in partnership with other companies, district council, local council and regional government. Activities focused on the biodiversity through Mobility, Cross Company Visits, Children and Family Activities, Mycology and Geological study in Burgos villages etc. The mission of this project is;
-To create awareness about the importance of the Biodiversity and Sustainable mobility, both within the plant and among Burgos society
-To promote the relation among Burgos companies and the relation with district council, local council and regional Government too
-To encourage knowledge about sounds environmental practices among Burgos companies
-To promote natural areas, Greenways and Sierra de la Demanda

The aim of this event is to promote the sustainable urban mobility and to make people aware of CO2 problems. 200 people joined the Bridgestone bike route along Sierra de la Demanda greenway. Participants cycled 54 km, enjoyed the beautiful landscape and took part in different activities at the end of the route.

To support the International Forest Week, we planted 200 trees in the garden in 2009. In 2010, we joined the local program “Burgos, 2016 trees.” The teammates went to a natural area near Burgos city and planted 160 trees. The initiative contributed to the UNEP “Billion Tree Campaign.” The Plant for the Planet.

Every Wednesday in October 2010, the Burgos plant organized CSR conferences for companies, local organizations and the Burgos society. The main objective of the Conferences was to share community strategy concepts of Corporate Social Responsibility through the best practices of leading companies educate our stakeholders about the commitment of the Bridgestone Group in this area. The opening act was celebrated last October 6th by the Burgos Plant Manager and political representatives, who emphasized the importance of these initiatives by Bridgestone. According to the Bridgestone Group philosophy, the objective of this event was to promote the best business practices linked around CSR, the company's management philosophy and long term commitment to sustainability.

It is favorable to conduct meetings/activities to better understand the social reality of different groups and the level of energy, enthusiasm, resources and capabilities that is required implement change in unfavorable situations. Our teammates held a reception and mobilized a diverse group (age, job position ...) interested in promoting more solidarity and a fairer world. This project is aimed at establishing future cooperation, promoting consciousness and carrying out occasional social events involving the Burgos staff. The first gesture of solidarity consisted of a recreational meeting with Caritas organization, a homeless community in December 2009. A similar event has been conducted again in November 2010, coinciding with the homeless week. The volunteers get together with homeless people and attended the premiere of a film. 　This movie stars Burgos homeless. Subsequently a joint dinner took place and the group ended the day with a concert.

The Burgos Plant had a Blood Donation Cooperative Program together with “Blood Donors Organization of Burgos.” This program began in October 2009 at Burgos Plant facilities, where a health team from The Blood Donors Organization and the Plant Medical Service staff worked together to take blood donations. Based on the enthusiastic response, this has become an annual event. 170 volunteers participated in this program.

Bridgestone Italia S.p.A. joined an initiative supported by the Italian Ministry of Environment called “National Tree Day 2010” in November 2010. At this event, we donated some young trees to two schools, located in Bari and Modugno cities, so that the trees will grow up at the schools together with the young citizens who are studying there. In a similar manner, we have also contributed to the Ministry of Environment and to the UNEP campaign “The Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree.” The planted trees have been chosen from the local fruit trees; olive, apricot, apple, orange, tangerine etc. It provides a tangible sign of how beautiful and good nature can be. To demonstrate our environmental commitment to prevent global warming (CO2 reduction) and to biodiversity protection, the trees are typical Mediterranean species.

Race for the Cure, is a fundraiser mini-marathon, which aims to support women who deal with breast cancer and raise awareness about the importance of prevention. It is a unique event for everyone and has the ability to combine sports, entertainment, emotion and social commitment. The main feature of this event is the presence of “Women in Pink”, women who have personally dealt with breast cancer. These women demonstrate the positive attitude necessary to successful fight the disease and intentionally choose to become visible and wear a pink T-shirt. Bridgestone Italia S.p.A., through its social fund, participated in making a donation and its 20 members took part in this marathon which was held in May 2010.

We joined the “World Cleaning” event with our community citizens and environmental organizations. During the event, information about effective recycling processes and waste management was provided.

In Sptember and October 2010, in cooperation with the Polish police, Bridgestone Poland visited 37 kindergartens and primary schools to educate 3,700 children about road safety.

In 2010, we focused on safety education with Police cooperation. There was a drawing competition “Visible on the Road” for children in age from 5 to 7. Approximately 100 children joined the contest, mainly from Stargard area. In September 2010, we continued the same program for children who start a new school year with a “Safety Back to School” event. In the meantime, we visited some kindergartens to educate students about getting to school safely, avoiding dangerous situation and how to safely fend off a dog attack.

The contest was a part of promotion of Safety Management System and was intended to encourage compliance with safety rules among our teammates and their families. The children prepared artistic works illustrating the vision of safe working parents.

In May 2010, we held “Green Children Day.” The main subject was environmental protection and safety on our planet. We've created an art competition for children. Themes of the entries included “Save the Earth and we save ourselves” and held educational presentations that demonstrated behaviors that help preserve the environment/ecological balance. We gave all of children green t-shirts with the Bridgestone logo on them and funny mother Earth figures as a keepsake.

In May 2010, a safety event was held at at petrol stations in Budapest. People were encouraged to understand the importance of routine tire inspections and tire safety information through distributing safety booklets, giveaway gifts and T-shirts, as well as free tire check services in the outside parking lot.

In November 2010, 23 regular policemen from the Police-office of Pest County, 7 experts from the authority responsible for the national transport, 3 civil guards and 3 experts from Bridgestone Hungary took part in an action held on main road No. 4 in Pest County. 　As part of the road check, authorities and Bridgestone Hungary employees joined forces to help educate drivers about safely driving in winter conditions at the time of the autumn/winter switch-over.

Bridgestone Hungary donated 350 drawing sets to all the junior elementary school students and kindergarten kids of a neighbouring village. Bridgestone Hungary managers visited both the elementary school and kindergarten to donate over the drawing sets. They visited a drawing lesson at the schools, and the kids welcomed them by putting on a dance show at the kindergarten.

In 2010, the Bethune plant supported an international horse race called “Jumping”. The plant also supports a mountain bike club with a donation and advertising items. Cyclists and employees biked from Bethune (plant site) to Szczecinek in Poland, and celebrate the 700 anniversary of the city. They joined together with teammates of another Bridgestone plant, Pozan, Poland.

In 2010, we accepted 320 visitorts to the plant.

Bridgestone United Kingdom was the main sponsor of the Eco Rally, which is an event to publicise the latest “green” vehilcles and associated technology. The rally went from Brighton to London and was attended by all major UK press. Partcipants included the cabinet Minister for the Environment.

Through 2010, Bridgestone United Kingdom has raised money for the Warwickshire Air Ambulance (GMP 2,000), NSPCC (GBP 2,500), Lincolnshire Air Ambulance (GBP 1,000) plus money raised for local causes from our roadshow (approximately GBP 10,000).

In 2010, Bridgestone in Netherlands organised 2 tire safety days. 1 in 6 motorists drive on tires that are worn beyond the legal limit. 8 in 10 motorists drive on underinflated tires, and 1 in 11 on both; severely worn and severely under-inflated tires. They are just a few of the findings of over 52,00 free tire safety checks conducted by Bridgestone in 15 European countries in 2010. Every year, more than 40,000 people are killed on European roads. In line with the European Road Safety Charter, Bridgestone is committed to reducing this figure by 25,000 by raising awareness of the importance of tire safety.

Since 1990 Bridgestone Ireland has been highlighting and promoting Ireland's unique food culture through the publication of a series of books and more recently with a website and social media; food is central to Irish society and culture. The Bridgestone Irish Food Guides, as the books have become known, have been acknowleged by the Irish government, the Irish media, the public and others as having made a major contribution to Ireland's tourism potential. The Bridgestone Ireland food books promote a more sustainable environment by highlighting local Irish food production. The books have received international and local awards. The initiative has received international publicity including the London Independent, European Vogue, The Washington Post and New York Times. In 2010, Bridgestone Ireland introduced a local community good food event run in conjunction with the local Chamber of Commerce. This promoted quality local food in the area where Bridgestone Ireland's warehouse and offices are based.

Bridgestone Ireland has sponsored and supported the annual “Sparks” Charity Dinner. This is a dinner in aid of the children's charity Action Medical Research and is run and attended by Irish people involved in motorsports. Bridgestone Ireland has given sponsorship, auction items and staff participation in organization of the event.

Bridgestone Ireland has produced two road safety DVDs: “Bridgestone Driving for Life” and “Bridgestone Motorcycling for Life.” The DVDs are produced with a chapter system for ease of use and aim to give motorists and motorcyclists instruction on skills not just for passing a test but for a lifetime of driving or motorcycling.

In 2010, Bridgestone Germany donated summer and winter tires to the international aid organisation Humedica. The tires are fitted on a vehicle that is used as a mobile hospital that brings medical help to poor village population in Kosovo.

In June 2010, Bridgestone Austria organized a tire safety event, to make it's contribution to Bridgestone's Road Safety activities across Europe. In addition to that event, Bridgestone Austria sponsored McDonald's Car Wash Day, whose proceeds will be donated for children's aid.

Tire safety events were organized at six First Stop dealer shops. In total, 120 vehicles were checked.

We've been organising school visits to ELASTRAK(a distributor in Greece) locations to educate future drivers about the importance of tires, road safety and the environment. Students are offered a tour in ELASTRAK facilities and have the opportunity to watch the assembly of tire and education on the importance of proper tire maintenance; tire pressure & tread depth, in avoiding fatal road accidents. After the tour, there is a presentation about the road safety and environment in combination with interactive activities. After this experience, there is free time for children to draw an “ecological tire” of their own imagination. The visit is completed with lunch, commemorative photos and the children are given gifts, t-shirts and their personal photos as souvenirs.

In June 2009, a safety event was held at a shopping mall in Moscow. People were encouraged to understand the importance of routine tire inspections and tire safety information through distributing safety booklets and holding a safety quiz contest inside the mall, as well as free tire check services in the outside parking lot.

Bridgestone Middle East & Africa started its Tire Safety campaign in the middle east in 2008, setting-up Tire Safety booths in popular malls in the key cities of UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Bahrain. The campaign activities promote tire safety through education and demos on tire maintenance, air pressure checks, runflat technology and free tire check-ups in mall parking lots. Kids were also attracted to the booths via drawing and coloring activities and photo souvenirs at the Tire Safety symbol. In 2010, the Tire Safety mall tour was again relived in the 3 key cities of Saudi Arabia - adding education on tire basics and a tire safety video viewing as part of the safety education for booth visitors.

In 2008, the company started hosting Tire Safety seminars with Unilever employees in the UAE. Bridgestone Middle East & Africa demonstrated its passion to create awareness on tire safety by collaborating with companies and organizations to promote its safety initiatives. The seminars focused on basic tire knowledge, causes of tire damage, demonstration of proper tire maintenance, proper flat tire change, and runflat tire technology. Bridgestone continues to collaborate with various companies and government organizations in their efforts to provide a safer roads through proper education and awareness.

The MAKE CARS GREEN Eco Drive Challenge has now come to an end with a reported fuel saving of 15.5% from the winning driver over an 18 month period. Due to the outstanding support this driver skills training was extended to the Brits Plant Employees. While some staff members intitially being sceptical about the training and the savings, the driving was a huge success with all trainees passing after 8 weeks of practical training with all receiving competency certificates. The second phase of economical driving for further management and staff will take place in the first quarter of 2011.

As a part of our Eco Activity drive, the Brits Plant implemented Recycling Bins and Vermiculture at the Plant. This is a term used to describe the process of farming with worms and using their by-products to enhance the environment. Worm tea is a non-smelly by-product in water, which is used to fetilize the soil and acts as a natural pest repellent. Recycling Bins are placed in all areas of the Plant, sorted into paper, glass, plastic, tin and organic, collected on a weekly basis with proceeds going to a local charity. The Brits teammates also supported World Environment Day in conjunction with Ras Primary School by cleaning up the main road in the Brits area. This formed part of our eco activity to raise public awareness on the need to preserve our environment.

The Cape Leopard Trust facilitates the conservation of the Western Cape's predators through the combination of conservation strategies, research projects and tourism initiatives. The Trust operates in wilderness areas in the Cederberg, Swartberg/Gamka corridor and Namaqualand areas and operates five Toyota Hilux double cab bakkies for which we provided tires. These vehicles travel very rocky and rugged areas in the mountains.

The 2010 Tire Safety Results show that 14% of the 3,318 tires inspected were under pressure and considered dangerous, while 86% were in good condition and correctly inflated. This is a slight improvement on the 85% recorded in 2009. In the tread depth test, 4% of tires sampled had less than 1.6mm of tread remaining, a considerable drop from the 2009 figure of 10%. All surveys were conducted by Bridgestone South Africa staff at regional Pick'n Pay Hypermarket stores countrywide. Pressure gauges and tread depth meters were used to inspect the tires of customers to the retail stores and data recorded on the data sheet, which is then left on the windshield of the vehicle owner.

Bridgestone South Africa has been a partner in this road safety initiative for the past 5 years and together with the industry partners, have inspected a total of 258 trucks and trained 600 Metro Traffic Officers at 11 testing stations countrywide. Of these vehicles inspected for tires and brakes, 162 (63%) have been issued discontinuation notices. Up to 100 Metro Traffic Officers are trained by all the partners participating in the initiative prior to the hands on testing day, when randomly selected trucks are taken off the roads and tested at the relevant Municipal Testing Stations. Tire checking, efficient braking, maintenance on trucks, lighting and reflective parts are taught to transport operators. Traffic officials are empowered by this training to perform their duties and identify un-roadworthy vehicles.

Forty under privileged school children from Tholile Primary School in Sevenoaks, KwaZulu Natal received brand new school clothing and shoes, many of them for the first time in their lives, from Bridgestone South Africa(BSAF). A bulk order was placed with a clothing supplier in the area and delivered to the school by the BSAF Durban Regional Office staff just after the school holidays in September. This was a big surprise for the children who each received brand new pants/skirt, shirt, socks, tie, jersey and shoes. By making a small contribution to these school children now, we hopes to make a bigger difference to their lives in the long run.

Bridgestone South Africa has committed to provide replacement tires for the SAPESI Mobile Library Project. The aim of the project, which is undertaken in four provinces, is to give the schools in rural areas access to reading books and text books for all school grades. Mobile Library visits schools on a weekly basis and teachers then select the books required for the students in the grade they teach. The books are scanned into the computer for record purposes until the next visit. It is the most important for a child to be able to receive something to read, becasuse many of the children do not have access to books in class or at home. These libraries enable them to become more literate and to enjoy the pleasure of a story book.

The Rally to Read initiative has been supported by Bridgestone South Africa staff for a number of years. In 2010, the Tshikwana and Nkandziyi primary schools in the rural Limpopo area were visited by the staff from the Pretoria Regional office while the Durban Regional Office staff visited both the Nomahaye and Mthiya Combined schools in the Weenen, northern KawZulu Natal. Boxes of reading books and writing material as well as extras like soccer balls, clothing and food were handed to the schools who face big challenges trying to educate 800 children from grades 1 - 12 in facilities with no electricity or running water. This annual literacy program aims to improve the quality of literacy teaching in rural South Africa schools by distributing reading books and school stationery to children and teachers.

The Dreamfields Project uses the excitement around soccer in South Africa to promote its initiatives aimed at investing in soccer facilities and equipment for township and rural schools. Bridgestone South Africa sponsored the Dream Event at our Brits Plant where four schools participated in a mini soccer tournament. The main activity is to distribute a “DreamBag,” consisting of a full set of kit for 15 players including boots, shin pads, balls, pump, whistle and kit for the coach. A great day was enjoyed by the players and teachers with each receiving medals and gifts at the prizegiving, with the 2 winning schools taking home the Bridgestone Dreamfields trophy.

The Bloemendal Hydroponics Project is an innovative social upliftment initiative aimed at assisting the local community to grow vegetables for both their own consumption and for sale. The disadvantaged beneficiaries are taught to become self-sufficient and move away from a welfare environment.
Bridgestone South Africa is the first company to sponsor a greenhouse tunnel project.

Baby Care Centre is for the care of abandoned Aids orphans. Teammates contribute to this home for the purchase of baby formula, clothing and educational aids for these babies and children.

The Breast Cancer Mobile Unit is a program that educates women in disadvantaged South African communities on the importance of the early detection of breast cancer and offers the opportunity for these women to receive free breast checks in their communities. These mobile breast cancer education and mammography trucks provide easy-to-understand visual material in the country's different languages and teach the correct techniques for breast self-examination. We sponsored the truck tires on these vehicles.