Chevrolet Volt components created from Gulf of Mexico oil-soaked boomsMexico is finding new life as autocreate enough plastic under hood partshave been incinerated or sent to landfills. 100,000 pounds of waste savedparts in the Chevrolet Volt.to supply the first year production ofThe parts, which deflect air around the vehiclesfrom the nations landfillsGeneral Motors has developed athe extended-range electric vehicle.radiator, are comprised of 25 percent boom materi-Metroland Mediamethod to convert an estimated 100Recycling the booms will result inal and 25 per cent recycled tires from GMs MilfordCarguide Magazinemiles of the material off the Alabamathe production of more than 100,000Proving Ground vehicle test facility. The remainingand Louisiana coasts and keep it outpounds of plastic resin for the vehicleis a mixture of post-consumer recycled plastics andOil-soaked plastic boom materialof landfills. components, eliminating an equalother polymers.used to soak up oil in the Gulf ofThe ongoing project is expected toamount of waste that would otherwiseThe work in the Gulf is expected to last at leasttwo more months and GM will continue to assistsuppliers in collecting booms until the need nolonger exists.The automaker anticipates enoughmaterial will be gathered that it can be used ascomponents in other Chevrolet models.The worlds first electric vehicle with extendedrange, the Chevy Volt was recently awarded GreenCar of the Year by Green Car Journal. GM uses recycled and renewable materials in itscars and trucks, which are at least 85 per cent recy-clable. Used tires, old plastic bottles, denim and nyloncarpet are all redirected from landfills and reusedin select GM vehicles. GM facilities worldwide recycle 90 per cent ofthe waste they generate.General Motors has developed a method to convert oil-soaked,plastic absorbent booms floating in the Gulf ofMexico into parts for the Chevrolet Volt.The combinationof these materials (l to r):recovered boom material,shred-ded and densified boom material,post consumer plasticand recycled tires from GMs Milford Proving Ground pictured here at the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plantMonday,December 20,2010 - can be combined to createairflow management components for the Volt.www.oakvillebeaver.com OAKVILLE BEAVERWednesday, January 12, 2011 14