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Dear Clean Car Campaign Supporter,
Air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles are well known problems. But there is a new and growing concern that plastics used in your car may be hazardous to your health, and are the fastest growing source of waste from discarded automobiles. So what are car companies doing about it?
According to a new Ecology Center report, not enough. The report gives near-failing grades to many of the top automakers in the U.S. including GM, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, Nissan and Honda. Automakers could be using sustainable plastics that don't contain toxic chemicals, are recyclable, and are manufactured from renewable raw materials.
Take action - urge auto companies in the U.S. market to improve their grades by supporting the Sustainable Plastics Principles and immediately phase-out their use of toxic, unrecyclable plastics. Please send your letter to CEO's of the six leading automakers in the U.S.
Sincerely,
The Clean Car Campaign
----------------------Sample Letter for Campaign
Subject: Please Use Safer, Less-Toxic Plastics
Dear [ Decision Maker ],
I am writing to urge your company to endorse the Sustainable Plastics Principles as laid out below, and to commit to phasing-out your company's use of PVC plastic in vehicles globally by 2009.
Plastics represent a growing proportion of the typical automobile and are the fastest growing source of waste at the automobile's end of life. Petrochemical-based plastics like PVC in automobiles also contain toxic chemicals that can harm human health, potentially exposing drivers to unhealthy emissions inside their automobile.
As a global leader in your industry, your company should have a competitive interest in adopting more environmentally friendly materials and practices. According to a newly released report, Moving Toward Sustainable Plastics: A Report Card on the Six Leading Automakers, top performer, Toyota, only received a C grade in using safer plastics in their automobiles, and in setting clear goals toward sustainable plastics. This means that there is still much room for improvement for all companies.
Safe, practical alternatives, that are less toxic and easier to recycle, are available today. I urge your company to endorse the principles below and to show leadership by pledging to phase-out the use of PVC plastic by 2009.
Sustainable Plastics Principles: 1. Commit to achieving sustainable plastics at the global level, 2. Set measurable goals and report on progress globally, 3. Transition away from incineration as a disposal option, 4. Provide relevant sustainable plastics information on the web.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
Background Information
U.S. automakers received near 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 six top-selling automakers in the U.S. were graded on their commitment to using environmentally friendly plastics.
The report graded the six top selling automakers in the U.S.-DaimlerChrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Nissan, and Toyota, on 17 environmental topics related to plastics. Sustainable plastics are defined as those that don't contain toxic chemicals, are recyclable, and are manufactured from renewable raw materials. Toyota led the group with a C, while Ford, Daimler Chrysler and General Motors were among the lowest scoring companies, all receiving D's.
Toxic Plastics Use Growing -- Since 1960, the percent of plastics in vehicles by weight has increased from 0.6 percent to 7.5 percent in 2003. This accounts for the use of 4.3 billions pounds of plastic per year in the U.S. alone. The report finds that all of the automakers still rely heavily on petrochemical-based plastics, many of which release toxic chemicals during production, vehicle usage and disposal, and are difficult to recycle.
PVC -- An Unsustainable Plastic -- PVC is a prime example of an unsustainable plastic. Found in products ranging from dashboards to exterior trim, PVC is made from fossil fuels and chlorine, contains toxic additives, is difficult to recycle, and creates dioxins, furans and hydrochloric acid when burned. Chemical additives called phthalates can off-gas from PVC in car interiors into the air passengers breathe, posing a risk to human health.
Americans Face a Double Standard -- The report also found that some foreign automakers are faring better in the area of sustainable plastics because the U.S. government lags behind Japan and the European Union in terms of recycling requirements and the elimination of toxic chemicals. GM even acknowledges that it focuses more on sustainable plastics through its European subsidiaries, such as Opel and Vauxhall. Automakers should provide environmentally safe plastics to consumers equally across the globe.
Toyota Makes Most Progress -- While the report found that progress toward sustainable plastics is slow overall, it also found positive examples of change in the industry. Toyota is making the most progress. The company has developed one plastic made from renewable materials and another that can be "close-loop" recycled into the same product again. Toyota has also set clear, comprehensive and measurable goals for sustainable plastics, and has committed to reducing its use of PVC.
Recommendations to Automakers:
Read the report and learn more.
email: info@cleancarcampaign.org