Each year, around 10 million vehicles are disposed of in the United States. Before vexing your conscience though, you should know that over 95 percent of these “retired” cars head straight to one of the 7,000 vehicle recycling operations around the country and 75 percent of these cars' parts are completely recycled, letting cars claim top spot as the world's most recycled product.
DriverSide explores what happens to these automotive materials:
Metals
As the hottest commodity at the moment, steel, iron and other metals comprise about 65 percent of the average vehicle, making the reuse of this product vital to overall automotive recycling efforts. Although reuse of metals started alongside the advent of the automobile, they're more popular than ever before. With construction exploding in rapidly developing countries like China, traders are snatching metals up to sell, and some older cars are now actually worth more for their steel than for their originally intended ‘automotive’ function. Naturally this means, according to the Steel Recycling Institute, that virtually all of this material is recovered for reuse. Wheels, engines, transmissions, wiring and body shells get shredded and filtered by ferrous scrap processors and the material is then sold to steel mills. Your trashed ’79 El Camino could be having a second life as a part of an Indian skyscraper.
Batteries
70 percent of all lead now used in the U.S. is found in car batteries. Fortunately, we’ve known about the toxicity of lead for a while now and recycling systems have been in place for years. Some batteries have enough life to be reconditioned for resale, but the dead ones go to lead reclaiming plants where the toxic substance is extracted to use in new batteries.
“Nearly 90 percent of all lead-acid batteries are recycled,” confirms Latisha Petteway, Spokesperson for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “Almost any retailer that sells lead-acid batteries collects used batteries for recycling, as required by most state laws.”
Tires
In 2005, the Rubber Manufacturer’s Association estimated, based on U.S. census reports, that 299 million tires were discarded. That's a helluva lot of miles covered. Good news: 86 percent of that number was reused. While today’s tires are complex, they are also extremely recyclable. The rubber from old tires makes it into a multitude of materials, from pavements to playground covering. Some are used to create more tires, 16.255 million in 2005 were retreaded – though very few of those were for passenger cars, due to economic factors. They are also able to fuel cement kilns, boilers and paper mills as well.
Fluids
Oil, that fussy liquid which needs to be changed every few thousand miles, isn't just tossed away at lube shops. 380 million gallons are reused or recycled each year in America. It goes through a refining process and comes out squeaky clean (well, as clean as an oil can be) as a base stock for lubricating oil. The problem is that many do-it-yourselfers change their own oil, and the irresponsible ones send roughly 120 million gallons down the drain instead of taking it to a collection center, local auto parts store or garage.
Used gear oil, windshield wiper solution, brake fluid, power steering fluid, antifreeze and transmission fluid can contain some seriously toxic substances, including lead and the highly poisonous ethylene glycol. But if you drop it off at a collection site, each of these fluids can either be blended and utilized as an alternate fuel source or restored.
What Isn’t Recycled
The recyclability of certain materials has eluded experts for years. Glass is just one such problem. Those windows protecting you from errant rocks and bugs are coated in a laminate, and sometimes have defrosting wiring and tinting, all of which complicate the recycling process.
Roughly 12 million tons of ferrous and non-ferrous metals are recycled each year, but according to Petteway, “about 20 percent of the scrap feed (or auto shredder residue) remains after metals recovery – consisting primarily of glass, plastics, rubber, fabrics and dirt.”
While we've come far in our auto recycling efforts over the years, the amount we are unable to reuse adds up quickly.
“Nearly all of the over 3 million tons of auto shredder residue generated in the U.S. each year is land filled,” continues Petteway, “recovery of specific materials from ASR (auto shredder residue) is difficult due to the physical nature of ASR, contamination, weak markets for major recoverable materials – such as polyurethane foam, rubber, and glass – and the processing needed to meet market specifications.”
Not all is lost though; Scientists at Illinois' Argonne National Laboratory say they're close to completing a facility that recycles the leftovers from junked vehicles. Manufacturers are also stepping up to the plate. The VW-Scion process maximizes the recovery of materials that would have previously been shredded and land filled. Ford and Mazda reuse plastic bumpers in the creation of new vehicles as well and Acura's 2009 TL is 90 percent recyclable.
With renewable resources and environmental protection on the forefront of design and manufacturing now, the time when we should start seeing recycling hit new levels of success is right around the corner.
By Alison Lakin, Associate Editor
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Tri-Industry Panel Meets to Promote Green Parts
TORONTO, ON -- April 27, 2009 -- A tri-industry panel meeting took place recently to discuss the best strategies to promote the use of recycled parts. The meeting drew together insurers, auto recyclers, and collision repairers.
Appropriately scheduled on Earth Day, key members of the respective industries critiqued existing marketing strategies and tactics in terms of increasing the use of Green Parts in the collision repair industry. The meeting was organized by Collision Repair magazine.
“The purpose of the meeting was to discuss current and new marketing collateral that would help further the cause,” said Darryl Simmons, publisher of Collision Repair magazine. “Whether discussing green initiatives or other matters, just having all three industries in one room and talking is going to help achieve positive results.”
The current brochure and matching poster were devised by the Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association (OARA), as part of that organization’s Green Parts marketing initiative. These materials were discussed and a number of suggestions for changes were made.
The panel discussed both content and delivery of the Green Parts message, including wording, graphics and overall presentation. It was determined that there will be a brochure, a poster and an 8 1/2 by 11 stand-up card, which will be made with a recycled cardboard backing.
The panel also devised plans to educate collision repair shops and the general public about all the benefits of using Green Parts. This included the possibility of training collision shop personnel on ways order to encourage customers to choose recycled parts.
There are essentially two audiences that need increased awareness. The first group is comprised of collision repair facilities. Specific information on the value of Green Parts in terms of improved productivity through time and cost savings needs to make its way into the hands of shop owner.
The other group is motorists themselves. In order to engage the general public into learning more about Green Parts, the panel suggested visiting schools and sending promotional packages to media outlets, as well as educating customers directly at the shop level.
“I think there’s value in promoting Green Parts to our customers,” said Sam Piercey of Budds’ Collision Services in Oakville, Ontario and a member of the tri-industry panel. “Being an environmentally concerned shop can be a great marketing opportunity for us if we’re smart enough to use it the right way.”
After the meeting about messaging concluded, the attendees used the opportunity to discuss other matters. It was mentioned that the simple matter of talking around the table was a big step in improving communications and understanding.
Collision Repair magazine will be undertaking a series of such panels to promote inter-industry communications. Watch this space for more information in the near future.
http://collisionrepairmag.com/news/breaking-news/tri-industry-panel-meets-to-promote-green-parts.html
Appropriately scheduled on Earth Day, key members of the respective industries critiqued existing marketing strategies and tactics in terms of increasing the use of Green Parts in the collision repair industry. The meeting was organized by Collision Repair magazine.
“The purpose of the meeting was to discuss current and new marketing collateral that would help further the cause,” said Darryl Simmons, publisher of Collision Repair magazine. “Whether discussing green initiatives or other matters, just having all three industries in one room and talking is going to help achieve positive results.”
The current brochure and matching poster were devised by the Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association (OARA), as part of that organization’s Green Parts marketing initiative. These materials were discussed and a number of suggestions for changes were made.
The panel discussed both content and delivery of the Green Parts message, including wording, graphics and overall presentation. It was determined that there will be a brochure, a poster and an 8 1/2 by 11 stand-up card, which will be made with a recycled cardboard backing.
The panel also devised plans to educate collision repair shops and the general public about all the benefits of using Green Parts. This included the possibility of training collision shop personnel on ways order to encourage customers to choose recycled parts.
There are essentially two audiences that need increased awareness. The first group is comprised of collision repair facilities. Specific information on the value of Green Parts in terms of improved productivity through time and cost savings needs to make its way into the hands of shop owner.
The other group is motorists themselves. In order to engage the general public into learning more about Green Parts, the panel suggested visiting schools and sending promotional packages to media outlets, as well as educating customers directly at the shop level.
“I think there’s value in promoting Green Parts to our customers,” said Sam Piercey of Budds’ Collision Services in Oakville, Ontario and a member of the tri-industry panel. “Being an environmentally concerned shop can be a great marketing opportunity for us if we’re smart enough to use it the right way.”
After the meeting about messaging concluded, the attendees used the opportunity to discuss other matters. It was mentioned that the simple matter of talking around the table was a big step in improving communications and understanding.
Collision Repair magazine will be undertaking a series of such panels to promote inter-industry communications. Watch this space for more information in the near future.
http://collisionrepairmag.com/news/breaking-news/tri-industry-panel-meets-to-promote-green-parts.html
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Pièces d'autos CGN ltée de Laval
Chronique environnementale traitant du recyclage automobile. Chroniqueur : M. Frédéric Charpentier, de l'émission Le Guide de l'auto, diffusée à Vox tv. Vidéo tournée le 30 mars 2009 chez Pièces d'autos CGN ltée de Laval, membre de l'ARPAC.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Auto Recyclers of Canada (ARC) shines at the Canadian Collision Industry Forum (CCIF)
On a cold winter day in Toronto, before a packed audience with the Canadian Collision Industry Forum (CCIF), the Automotive Recyclers of Canada (ARC) held centre stage among some of Canada's brightest repairers and insurers.
The CCIF provides a forum for the collision repair industry to share information, best practices and a means to develop solutions to common national issues and challenges. Meeting quarterly across Canada, the CCIF attracts some of Canada's best and brightest minds involved in the collision repair economy. The largest event is always held in Toronto in January, and this year was no exception - 275 delegates representing every province (plus four Americans). Collision repairers make up the biggest audience, followed by suppliers and service provides, and an impressive 10% of the participants were insurers. Our recycler numbers were down a bit with just 8 present, but our influence remains strong within the group.
And this is a group you want to influence and remain an active part of - the CCIF lives by the motto "we are not an association and have no direct lobbying status. However, we provide inspiration, influence and direction to those that do." ARC established itself as a Silver Sponsor to the group, to ensure that recycler involvement is seen and recognized on a consistent basis.
The meeting had a green tinge to it, not only discussing the economy and the impact on the repair sector, but the environmental greening of the sector as well. ARC was asked to present its involvement in the national Mercury Switch Out recovery program. Unlike our US colleagues, Canadian auto recyclers participate in the program without direct financial compensation. That only leaves us some marketing slogans, but we decided to make the best of it. At this time ARC Members are submitting over 95% of the total switches collected and that gives us all the ammunition we need to separate ARC Members from the rest of the industry.
I presented three reasons for ARC Members to participate: 1) Its the right thing from an environmental perspective. Our Members work, live and play in their communities and have a responsibility to leave them in a better state than before; 2) participating attracts positive press and government relations opportunities for the industry and the industry associations; and 3) participating provides great local opportunities for individual Members to demonstrate their environmental commitment. I showed a video news clip of one of our Members, Logel's Auto Parts in Kitchener Ontario, a past recipient of the CAR Member of the Year Award, hosting the federal Minister of Environment at the introduction of the Switch Out Program. The clip was featured on the national CTV network. You probably can't put a price on a two minute ad within the national news, but that's what we got and that's what Logel's received as well.
After the presentation, I had numerous businesses congratulate ARC on it progressive environmental approach to marketing (we also distributed our new Green Parts brochure and the 3rd Edition of the Canadian Auto Recycler Magazine to all delegates) and the leadership role we play within the overall collision repair industry. I even had an insurer comment that our industry should be handling all the salvage in the country - they had no idea how much we did to keep the environment clean.
If you ever get an opportunity to talk about your business or your industry to a group who knows nothing about us or who should know more - make the investment and educate as many people as you can about the great things we do. Start small with a local school or service club, and grow your confidence and ability with larger and even more challenging situations. our industry is not blessed with the advertising budgets it takes to re-educate public and government opinion of our industry, but we do have the people and the message that has never rung truer, "Auto recyclers are part of the solution."
"The CCIF conference is one of the opportunities I have during the year to network with my primary customer group but at the same time learn what is challenging them as an industry so I can be a better business partner to them. I always walk away with a little better insight into the collision industry and invariably a new customer or two." Benjy Katz, LKQ Dominion Auto Recycling Inc.
"The dialogue is consistently the best part of these meetings. The meetings give the attendees an opportunity to have a glimpse at the issues that affect the people they deal with every day. An empathy with the issues that affect your customers and suppliers can strengthen your relationship. Add to that the reciprocal effect which occurs when your customer or supplier knows you are actively interested in finding ways to help them." Jeff Smith, Car-Part.com
"As a recycler, I believe that if I were aware that as many as 70 to 100 of my customers or potential customers were assembling in one room on a given day in my city, I think I would consider that a major business opportunity." Glenn Hickey, Auto Parts Network
"After a day at CCIF you’ll feel good about your industry and be inspired to take action." Mike Bryan, CCIF Administrator
Steve Fletcher, ARC Managing Director
The CCIF provides a forum for the collision repair industry to share information, best practices and a means to develop solutions to common national issues and challenges. Meeting quarterly across Canada, the CCIF attracts some of Canada's best and brightest minds involved in the collision repair economy. The largest event is always held in Toronto in January, and this year was no exception - 275 delegates representing every province (plus four Americans). Collision repairers make up the biggest audience, followed by suppliers and service provides, and an impressive 10% of the participants were insurers. Our recycler numbers were down a bit with just 8 present, but our influence remains strong within the group.
And this is a group you want to influence and remain an active part of - the CCIF lives by the motto "we are not an association and have no direct lobbying status. However, we provide inspiration, influence and direction to those that do." ARC established itself as a Silver Sponsor to the group, to ensure that recycler involvement is seen and recognized on a consistent basis.
The meeting had a green tinge to it, not only discussing the economy and the impact on the repair sector, but the environmental greening of the sector as well. ARC was asked to present its involvement in the national Mercury Switch Out recovery program. Unlike our US colleagues, Canadian auto recyclers participate in the program without direct financial compensation. That only leaves us some marketing slogans, but we decided to make the best of it. At this time ARC Members are submitting over 95% of the total switches collected and that gives us all the ammunition we need to separate ARC Members from the rest of the industry.
I presented three reasons for ARC Members to participate: 1) Its the right thing from an environmental perspective. Our Members work, live and play in their communities and have a responsibility to leave them in a better state than before; 2) participating attracts positive press and government relations opportunities for the industry and the industry associations; and 3) participating provides great local opportunities for individual Members to demonstrate their environmental commitment. I showed a video news clip of one of our Members, Logel's Auto Parts in Kitchener Ontario, a past recipient of the CAR Member of the Year Award, hosting the federal Minister of Environment at the introduction of the Switch Out Program. The clip was featured on the national CTV network. You probably can't put a price on a two minute ad within the national news, but that's what we got and that's what Logel's received as well.
After the presentation, I had numerous businesses congratulate ARC on it progressive environmental approach to marketing (we also distributed our new Green Parts brochure and the 3rd Edition of the Canadian Auto Recycler Magazine to all delegates) and the leadership role we play within the overall collision repair industry. I even had an insurer comment that our industry should be handling all the salvage in the country - they had no idea how much we did to keep the environment clean.
If you ever get an opportunity to talk about your business or your industry to a group who knows nothing about us or who should know more - make the investment and educate as many people as you can about the great things we do. Start small with a local school or service club, and grow your confidence and ability with larger and even more challenging situations. our industry is not blessed with the advertising budgets it takes to re-educate public and government opinion of our industry, but we do have the people and the message that has never rung truer, "Auto recyclers are part of the solution."
"The CCIF conference is one of the opportunities I have during the year to network with my primary customer group but at the same time learn what is challenging them as an industry so I can be a better business partner to them. I always walk away with a little better insight into the collision industry and invariably a new customer or two." Benjy Katz, LKQ Dominion Auto Recycling Inc.
"The dialogue is consistently the best part of these meetings. The meetings give the attendees an opportunity to have a glimpse at the issues that affect the people they deal with every day. An empathy with the issues that affect your customers and suppliers can strengthen your relationship. Add to that the reciprocal effect which occurs when your customer or supplier knows you are actively interested in finding ways to help them." Jeff Smith, Car-Part.com
"As a recycler, I believe that if I were aware that as many as 70 to 100 of my customers or potential customers were assembling in one room on a given day in my city, I think I would consider that a major business opportunity." Glenn Hickey, Auto Parts Network
"After a day at CCIF you’ll feel good about your industry and be inspired to take action." Mike Bryan, CCIF Administrator
Steve Fletcher, ARC Managing Director
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