2 New And Unexpected Ways Auto Paint Is Being Recycled
While recycling companies have figured out a way to recycle just about every part of an old car, and even the byproducts from the manufacturing process, auto paint recycling is a relatively recent development. In the past couple of decades, automakers have been tasked with reducing their wastes in every way imaginable, and some pretty amazing products have come out of this necessity. These fairly new recycling tactics convert millions of tons of auto paint sludge each year, and turn it into products like automotive sealants and even jewelry.
Creating Automotive Sealants
Recycling auto paint into sealants is a relatively new process, but it comes just in time, since upwards of 75 million pounds of paint sludge is thrown into landfills each year, which is obviously a massive ecological problem. This process involves drying out and agitating the paint sludge, which will then cause the sludge to take on a putty-like consistency. Also, a chemical dehydrating technique can be used to produce a powder, which can also be used as a sealant. The fact that these products can be used by the same companies that produce them means that recycling is extremely accessible and low-cost for auto companies.
Creating Household Items
Fortunately, there are even things that you can wear and carry that make use of recycled auto paint sludge, and they even look good too. Layers and layers of auto paint pile up on surfaces near where the painting takes place. This material is then harvested and referred to as Fordite or Detroit Agate, and can be fashioned into necklaces, rings, phone cases, or other items. While this material might not save the planet by taking as much paint out of landfills as the above process, it's a great way to show your commitment to recycling and your unique sense of style.
For years, auto paint was discarded in landfills and left to wreak havoc on the environment in ways that we didn't even know of half a century ago. Nowadays, thanks to technological advances and some incredible creativity, there are ways to keep large and small amounts of this sludge out of our environment and recycle it into great useful products. Auto manufacturers themselves are even benefiting from the reduced waste and recycled products available to them through these processes. You too can get in on the recycling action by picking up some cool Fordite jewelry or a "stone" for a great cause. For more information, talk to an auto paint specialist, such as Select Collision Centers Inc.