We all know that recycling helps the environment, but what happens to all those plastic water bottles once they’re recycled? One way they’re put back to use is Ford Vehicles.
Ford Motor Company is playing a part in helping the environment by using recycled plastic bottles for underbody shields on all cars and SUVs, and wheel liners on F-Series trucks.
“The underbody shield is a large part, and for a part that big, if we use solid plastic, it would likely weigh three times as much,” said Thomas Sweder, design engineer, Ford Motor Company. “We look for the most durable and highest performing materials to work with to make our parts, and in this case, we are also creating many environmental benefits.”
Ford uses about 1.2 billion recycled plastic bottles per year, averaging out to 250 bottles per vehicle.
How it Works
Plastic bottles that recycled are shredded into small pieces. That’s typically sold to suppliers who turn it into a fiber, by melting the bottle and extruding it. Those fibers are mixed together with other various types of fiber in a textile process and used to make a sheet of material – which is formed into the automotive parts.
Thanks to its lightweight, recycled plastic is ideal for the manufacture of underbody shields, engine under shield and front and rear wheel arch liners that can help improve vehicle aerodynamics. These shields also help create a significantly quieter environment on the all-new 2020 Ford Escape.
“Ford is among the leaders when it comes to using recycled materials such as this, and we do it because it makes sense technically and economically as much as it makes sense for the environment,” Sweder said. “This material meets all of our robust specifications for durability and performance.”
That is some environmental-friendly news you can use. Next time you have a plastic bottle in your hand, make sure to recycle it so that our environment may continue to thrive. Stay connected with The Reed Factor for more news you can use.
