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Plastic has become an essential material in modern vehicle manufacturing. An average car contains around 240 kilograms of plastic, making up 14–18% of its total weight. However, recent analyses show that only a small portion of this plastic is successfully recycled back into production.
Why Is the Recycling Rate So Low?
Only a limited amount of plastic removed from end-of-life vehicles can be reused.
A significant portion is incinerated for energy or sent to landfills.
Cars contain many different types of plastics. Thermoplastics are recyclable, but thermoset polymers are extremely difficult to reprocess.
Vehicle design typically does not prioritize easy separation of materials, increasing recycling costs.
Challenges Facing the Industry
Disassembly, sorting, and processing require significant time and money.
Automakers still use very low amounts of recycled plastics.
New regulations from both governments and manufacturers will be necessary to reach sustainability goals.
Expectations for the Future
Upcoming policies are expected to push manufacturers toward higher recycled-plastic usage.
“Design for recyclability” is likely to become a standard principle in car development.
Advanced sorting technologies will speed up recycling processes.
Greater use of recycled plastics can reduce environmental impact and production costs.
Why Does It Matter?
Plastic waste is one of the largest environmental challenges in the automotive sector.
Higher recycling rates directly reduce the industry’s carbon footprint.
It is crucial for achieving long-term sustainability targets.
