U.S. automakers get low grade for use of environmentally-safe plastic

U.S automakers have received nearly failing grades in the use of recyclable, safe plastics in vehicles, according to a report released by the Michigan-based Ecology Center, in collaboration with Clean Production Action. The report graded the six top-selling U.S. automakers, DaimlerChrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Nissan and Toyota, on 17 environmental areas related to plastic. Sustainable plastics are defined as those that do not contain toxic chemicals, are recyclable and are manufactured from renewable raw materials. Toyota led the group with a C grade, while all the other companies received D grades.
The report also found that many of the same automakers have a greater commitment to using sustainable plastic in Europe, because of the EU’s stronger recycling requirements.
The report singles out PVC as a prime example of an unsustainable plastic and calls on automakers to reduce use of PVC in automotive interior and exterior trim applications.