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Car bumper collection trial wraps up in Christchurch

By Caddie Digital on May 8th, 2018 in Automotive
3R car bumber trial granulated plasti

A trial collection of car bumpers has diverted over 1 tonne of plastic from landfill in a 4-week period.

The trial, held in Christchurch during March and April, was conducted by 3R Group in partnership with the Motor Trade Association (MTA), with six of their affiliated collision repair workshops taking part. 3R General Manager Innovation Trevor Tutt says the trial, which collected 273 bumpers, was successful in demonstrating the logistics around the collections are feasible.

The collected bumpers were granulated, with the material to be used for further research into outflow solutions. This also involved some of the material going to recyclers and plastic manufacturers, Trevor says.

The majority of bumpers found on passenger vehicles in New Zealand are made of the recyclable plastic polypropylene (PP), the same material used to make a myriad of everyday items like clothing pegs, chairs and food containers. In 2016 more than 77,000 bumpers were imported to replace damaged units, while around a further 142,500 cars were taken off the road the same year.

However, none of the approximately 1,400 tonnes – the weight of 1,300 Toyota Corollas – of plastic bumpers taken off vehicles each year are currently recycled. Instead they are stock piled or sent to landfill.

These stockpiles were evident as the first day of collections netted 140 bumpers, while the following three weekly collections averaged at around 44 bumpers.

Internationally, car bumper recycling is common practice. This is especially so in countries with product stewardship legislation for end of life vehicles, stricter landfill controls and higher landfill costs.

Reports show the plastic recovered from car bumpers is high quality, can substitute virgin resin and be used in the manufacture of new automotive parts and even new bumpers, therefore closing the loop.

Internationally both Toyota, Ford and Mazda now use polymers from recycled car bumpers in the manufacture of new bumpers and other automotive parts. The lack of automotive manufacturers in New Zealand mean this is not an option.

Previous 3R car bumper recycling trial Craig Pomare and Jeff Strong

Trial aims to kick car bumper waste to the curb

Next 3R Associate minister for the environment Eugenie Sage

Moves to declare end of life tyres a priority product

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ISO 14001:2015

Environmental management systems and safe work practices.

ISO 14001:2015 is an internationally recognised standard that certifies our commitment to environmental management systems and safe work practices.

Consistent with our environmental policy, the intended outcomes of our environmental management system include:

  • The enhancement of environmental performance;
  • The fulfilment of compliance obligations;
  • The achievement of environmental objectives.

Our ISO 14001:2015 certification includes 3R Operations, the Paint Product Stewardship Programmes, ChemCollect Service and the SeatSmart Child Car Seat Recycling Programme (owned and operated by 3R).

This certification is audited by TELARC.

ISO 45001:2018

Keeping our people safe, healthy and happy.

ISO 45001:2018 certification has been chosen to demonstrate the importance we place in caring for our people as we bring to life our values of Kaitiakitanga and Manaakitanga.

Keeping our team safe, healthy and happy is a primary focus for our business. We feel that the work our operations staff do makes this particularly important. Their responsibilities can include collecting and processing paint; collecting chemicals; driving trucks around the country; and getting hands-on with work wherever needed.

3R received ISO 45001:2018 certification in 2021. The ISO 45001:2018 certificate is valid for 3 years and includes annual surveillance audits which provide a valuable framework for further growth.

What is a circular economy?

New Zealand is “one of the highest generators of waste per person in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)”. The way we currently produce and manage our waste is not sustainable.

The current economy in New Zealand is linear: this equates to a process of take-make-use-dispose. The aim of the government is to move towards a circular economy.

A circular economy can refer to either biological or technical materials.

With biological materials, the cycle could be defined as make-consume-enrich. In this cycle waste returns to the environment and enriches the land.

A technical materials cycle may be more like make-use-return. In a technical materials cycle waste is repurposed and used to make something new.

Whether you need help with biological materials, technical materials, or both; 3R can partner with your business to assess your current waste, then help you reduce it.