Several steps toward recovery
The 3 R's: regulation, recovery, and recycling
About 95% of all automobiles are recycled; however, recycling is generally limited to the 75% by weight of the vehicle that is metallic. The remaining 25%, including a significant amount of plastics, has been difficult to recycle cost-effectively. As a result, most of that remaining material, known as automotive shredder residue (ASR), is disposed of in landfills. The recycling equation is further complicated by the fact that many automakers are using increased amounts of plastics as a way to reduce weight and improve fuel economy.
 Ford's throttle-body adapter for its 5.4-L engine packages is molded from repolymerized and recyclable nylon 6 resin. Visteon designed and developed the part from a polymer developed by Honeywell. |
The European Parliament has ratified a directive for processing end-of-life vehicles (ELV) that affects primarily automakers, vehicle dismantlers, and materials recyclers. The aim of the ELV Directive is to increase the rate of recovery and recycling of vehicle components. Automakers will be expected to meet all or a significant part of the "take-back" costs of ELVs. The directive mandates a rate of recovery of 85% by weight by 2006 (of which 80% is recycled), which will rise in 2015 to a recovery of 95% by weight (of which 85% is recycled). For vehicles sold after January 1, automakers are immediately responsible for the costs of take back. For vehicles sold prior to 2001, automakers will have to pay for take back until January 2007.
The ELV Directive places the take-back burden, disposal prohibitions, and landfill avoidance on the OEM, "irrespective of how the vehicle has been serviced or repaired during use." As the directive takes effect and a system is developed for the most effective handling of ELVs, experts predict a marked reduction in the use of virgin materials during the manufacturing process and an increase in the amount of recyclable materials recovered during dismantling.
