“Cars are the most recycled consumer product on the planet. More than 10 million are recycled in the U.S. and Canada every year. About 95% of car materials can be repurposed…this type of recycling replaces the need to dig for raw materials…That results in reduced global warming and pollution.” – John Holden, Host of EARTH
Today marks Global Recycling Day, an international recognition of the need to conserve non-renewable resources and promote policies aimed at building a more circular economy. Each month, the auto recycling industry reclaims more than 750 million pounds of scrap from wrecked or abandoned vehicles. Alternative parts manufacturers fashion this recovered material into quality car parts, a sustainable process that helps lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduce climate impacts.
For nearly 25 years, CAR Coalition member LKQ Corporation has provided consumers with a variety of options for quality, safe, and affordable aftermarket replacement parts – both new and recycled. Today the company is the world’s largest auto recycler, processing over 800,000 cars each year and recovering more than 90% of the materials from end-of-life vehicles that would otherwise go to landfills. Learn more in this segment of EARTH with John Holden:
Protecting right to repair is a critical step in building a more sustainable future. Beyond diverting unnecessary waste from landfills, access to quality, affordable repairs can keep vehicles running longer, discouraging their premature disposal and cutting down on unnecessary waste. As best put by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, reuse and recycling of automotive parts and tires “provides an excellent environmental and economic benefit.”
Automotive right to repair legislation, like the SMART and REPAIR Acts, will provide consumers with more choices for quality, safe new and recycled parts for common repairs. Join the movement and call on your members of Congress to advance these bills today!
