Japanese carmakers Honda and Nissan are working quickly to recycle more plastic in their new cars. They are doing this to follow new rules that may soon come in Europe. These rules say that by 2031, at least 25% of the plastic in new cars must be recycled .
Honda’s Big Plan
Honda wants to make a new way to get recycled plastic by around 2040. They plan to work with companies that make chemicals and recycle things. Honda also wants to use fewer types of plastic in their new cars. This will make it easier to sort the plastic when recycling old cars. Right now, Honda uses about 25 different types of plastic in some cars. They want to cut this down to only 6 or 7 types.
Nissan’s Team Effort
Nissan is working with its partner Renault on this problem. They want to take plastic from old electric cars and use it in new cars made in Europe. Nissan might put money into Renault’s recycling business to help with this.
Why This Matters
Plastic is very important for making cars. It’s used in many parts, like bumpers and the inside of the car. But making new plastic can hurt the environment. Using recycled plastic is better for the planet, but it costs more money. This makes it hard for car companies to use a lot of recycled plastic.
The New Rules
The European Commission wants to make new rules about recycled plastic in cars . These rules say that by 2031, at least 25% of the plastic in new cars must be recycled . If car companies don’t follow these rules, they might not be allowed to sell their cars in Europe.
Other Companies Join In
It’s not just Honda and Nissan making changes. Toyota, another big Japanese car company, also has plans for recycled plastic. They want 30% of the plastic in their new cars made in Japan and Europe to be recycled by 2030. Some of Toyota’s new cars already use fabric made from recycled plastic bottles.
Luxury car makers like Mercedes-Benz and BMW are also trying to use more recycled plastic. This shows that the whole car industry is changing because of these new rules.
Challenges Ahead
Using more recycled plastic isn’t easy. It can cost a lot more than new plastic. Sometimes, recycled plastic can cost 50% more, or even three times as much as new plastic. This means car companies might make less money if they use a lot of recycled plastic.
What This Means for Buyers
These changes might make cars a bit more expensive. But they will be better for the environment. In the future, when you buy a new car, more of its plastic parts will have been recycled from old cars.
The Big Picture
This move to recycle more plastic is part of a bigger effort to make cars better for the environment. It’s not just about the plastic. Car companies are also working on electric cars and other ways to reduce pollution.
In conclusion, Honda, Nissan, and other car companies are working hard to use more recycled plastic in their cars. They’re doing this to follow new rules that might come soon in Europe. This change will be good for the environment, but it might make cars cost more to make. It shows how car companies are trying to balance making cars, following rules, and protecting the planet.