By recycling steel fenders for new cars, the world's airliners
could fly almost 100 million miles alone with the energy saved,
according to a new study by the University of Colorado for the
United Recyclers Group. "The CU study estimates that nearly 11
million vehicles are taken off the road in America each year
when they reach their so called 'End of Life' (EOL)," said
Michelle Alexander, URG executive director, in the report. "This
process of attrition is caused by accidents and also occurs as
vehicles age. There are tremendous quantifiable environmental
and financial benefits for consumers that are provided by the
green American automobile recycling industry as these vehicles
are processed both for the reuse of certain parts (known as
'green parts') and recycling of most of the remainder."
Alexander went on to say that already, thanks to the auto
recycling industry, auto manufacturers have begun to lower their
carbon footprint, reduce energy consumption, and mine and refine
less materials.