Editor's Focus

ith time, automobiles are becoming increasingly recyclable. In addition to the steel, which has always been reclaimed, more plastics and other materials are being targeted for recycling. It’s easier than it used to be to recycle these materials, because cars are now designed with more thought to dismantling and recycling. Hand in hand with these efforts are several pilot programs attempting to establish reverse assembly lines in which autos are efficiently stripped of all parts and recyclable materials before being crushed and shredded.

This month, Recycling Today takes a look at the changing role of plastics in autos. Although steel still makes up 70 percent of the average car, plastics are at about 8 percent, with the chance of growing to about 10 percent in the next five years or so. Part of the growth of plastics and plastic-based composites in cars will be spurred by pressure on car manufacturers to produce vehicles with better gas mileage and electric vehicles, both of which require a lighter-weight car.

Some critics contend that cars manufactured with a high proportion of plastics and plastic-based composites are less recyclable and less safe. But in fact, there are recycling systems and markets developing for plastics such as sheet molding composite, and some designs, say engineers, are at least as safe as steel-based cars or maybe safer. In some cases, composites may be stronger than steel, and because a composite-based car is lighter, there’s no need for a large engine in the front. This leaves more space inside to absorb impacts, and prevents the danger of a large engine crashing through the front dash in the event of an accident, according to some researchers.

On the front end, auto manufacturers are attempting to design cars with recyclability in mind. In addition, the auto makers are working to set up an effective infrastructure to facilitate recycling plastics contained in cars. Many manufacturers now require a 25 percent recycled content in certain auto parts. These inititatives are encouraging the recycling of plastic parts, but more work remains to be done to ensure that there is cost-effective collection and processing available for the materials.

On a related note, there are some recent technological developments in separating windshield glass from its layers of plastic and recycling both materials.

All of these efforts should ultimately result in reducing the volume and disposal costs of automotive shredder residue, or fluff – the nonrecyclable mixed stream of plastics, foam, carpet, glass and other material remaining after cars are shredded – and may provide new revenue for recyclers.

So, although steel will likely remain the primary material for cars in the foreseeable future, recyclers should keep an eye on the growing automotive plastics industry.