Using Recycled Materials in GM Vehicles

Regular news pic: 

FROM TINY FILINGS: GM's Warren, Mich., plant recaptures scrap metal. (Photo: General Motors)

Mother Nature Network took a look at GM's landfill free goal, noting GM's goal to have half of its manufacturing plants landfill free by the end of the year and reporting that "the company is also using as much recycled materials in its cars as is humanly possible."

Jim Motavelli reported that GM's plants globally now average a 90 percent recycling rate,  writing:  "Wow, what a transformation for GM."

Here are some of the recycling programs involving GM's manufacturing operations, listed in the article, which were noted as being "innovative and clever": 

Old bumpers: They're ground up and form new air inlet panels for such cars as the Chevrolet Camaro, Impala and Traverse, as well as the Cadillac CTS and CTS coupe.

Worn carpets: The GMC Acadia takes the nylon and remakes it into mirror frames, fascia brackets and door handle parts. 

Used water bottles: The Cadillac SRX uses bottles and milk jugs in its air conditioning and heating vent covers. The Chevrolet Voltuses them in baffles along with recycled tires. Recycled stuff also goes into engine fans and shrouds, splash shields and dash insulators. 

Cardboard. Used material from GM's stamping pads are made into acoustic pads for the Buick Lacrosse's headliner. That's a 25 to 45 percent savings for GM, and it diverts the cardboard from the landfill. 

Paint sludge. This muck is one of the biggest pollutants auto plants produce, and GM is using it as filler in the making of reusable shipping containers.

To read the article at work:  http://communicator.gm.com/v5/apps/enewsline/uploads/zero_waste_%20goal2.pdf

To read it at home or to share:  http://www.mnn.com/featured-blogs/greentransportation