Alcoa Wheel & Transportation Products announced that its global line of wheel products are now Cradle to Cradle Certified at the Silver level, resulting from material choices and production processes that are environmentally safe and healthy and aluminum that is infinitely recyclable.

Alcoa says its wheels are the first products in the transportation industry to receive certification from the Cradle to Cradle Certified Program.

The evaluation of Alcoa wheels was conducted by McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry, a global sustainability consulting and product certification firm that developed the Cradle to Cradle concept in 1995. This multi-attribute eco-label assesses products for safety to human and environmental health, design for future use cycles and sustainable manufacturing processes. Products are evaluated for material health, material reutilization, renewable energy use, water stewardship and social responsibility.

With an ever-growing focus on sustainable solutions, the Cradle to Cradle Certified Product Program has become an important resource for companies such as Alcoa to communicate their sustainability efforts. To date, MBDC has certified more than 425 products in various industries and 125 companies worldwide have engaged in the program.

"An industry leader in sustainability, Alcoa has achieved Cradle to Cradle Certified Silver for a number of other products, including Alcoa primary aluminum," says Jay Bolus, vice president of technical operations, MBDC. "This latest certification demonstrates that Alcoa wheel products are pioneering the way for more sustainable solutions within the transportation industry."