Ah! the start of a brand new car's brand new life. Everything is crisp, clean and shiny. The thought of it ever being anything else is anathema. This is a time to rejoice in your new purchase. And so it should be.
But even though you might not realise it, the makers of the car have put some thought and planning into when it has passed its usefulness date.
They are critical decisions for you, them and everyone else. Because they have to do with making sure the environment is taken care of when they put the RIP sign over your new motor.
By doing so they make sure there is life in the old car yet. Today we got a glimpse of just how much.
The new Peugeot 307, unveiled in Morocco this week, devotes on section to the environment. Not just words and aspirations but quite a detailed account of how this car will stay green and useful long after it has left the road for good.
They enthusiastically embrace a framework agreement of the European Union on the disposal of cars at the end of their useful lives.
It stipulates that: From 2002 onwards, new vehicles must be able to undergo a recycling process which does not generate end waste weight more that 10% of the vehicles total weight.
Peugeot claim they are committed to using as much recyclable material as possible, providing clear instructions on dismantling, standardising how components are marked and telling the consumer exactly what is being done and why.
Effectively it means making the 307 a car that can, after a long and enjoyable life, be taken apart and used again and again in other ways.
It makes sense - certainly as far as the environment is concerned. The fewer demands made on diminishing resources the better. And the greater resource we have to those already in use the lesser the impact on our finite assets.
Anyway, here is an indication of what Peugoet have done with their new car. Half the steel used in it comes from recycled material. Of course for critical areas such as bodyshell and chassis components virgin steel is used.
Half the aluminium used comes from the recycling industry as does 30% of the cast iron used.
Neither cadmium nor mercury are used in the 307.
Peugeot say more than 90% of the 307 comprises five major material categories and all are easily recyclable.
The metals are completely recyclable and are sorted after vehicle crushing to be used by the steel, iron, aluminium and copper industries. Precious metals used in catalytic convertors are given special recycling treatment.
Other elements such as glass are collected separately. Fluids are drained off and then reactivated while plastics are all extracted to be reused.
Tyres and rubber joints are given the recycle treatment too and the powder produced after they are crushed is used for the likes of manufacturing surface coatings for sports ground.
So you see, there is life in that old car yet.
And what's more important, it gives Mother Earth a breather. She can't go on disgorging enormous amounts of material for ever.
June 2001
by Eddie Cunningham
Motoring Editor of the Irish Independent
