Another Eco Car Story. But is it Spin or Win?

Wolfsburg, February 20, 2009 – Volkswagen commissioned an audit into the use of secondary raw materials known as recyclates in the new Golf. The investigation showed that 527 kg of secondary raw materials, or over 40 percent of the vehicle weight, are used in the new Golf, thus conserving resources. This is the first time that an audit into the use of recycled materials in a complete vehicle has been conducted and certified by the TÜV technical inspection authority.

The systematic use of recycled materials at Volkswagen represents a careful and environmentally compatible approach to primary raw materials and reflects the capabilities of modern vehicle production. The metal life cycle is crucial to an overall ecological assessment of the vehicle. 501 kg of metal recyclates are used in the Golf, thus making an important contribution to conserving resources. Plastics account for 15 kg of the total recyclate weight, glass for 9 kg and operating fluids for 2 kg. TÜV NORD has certified these results. Some 5,000 parts were assessed during the audit.

Conserving primary resources and closing material cycles is an important goal for product development at Volkswagen. This is why the use of quality-assured recycled materials in almost all vehicle parts is not only permitted, but proactively encouraged. Recyclates, which can replace primary materials and therefore contribute to the efficient use of resources, are obtained by treating production residue or from used materials.

While car companies are keen to push their eco car stories, sometimes stretching the truth a little, any companies recycling their parts is a good news story. No excess rubbish for landfill and less extraction of raw materials.