Do you pride yourself in doing your bit for the environment? Are you taking significant steps to reduce the size of your family's carbon footprint, by questioning every purchase decision and by always recycling? If so, you should know that you're not alone and this trend is taking on an increased significance in the corporate world. Nowhere is this more evident than in the automotive industry, which is facing significant challenges to its very existence. These pressures have led to the development of a 'circular economy' and this buzzword will soon become mainstream. How can you do your part to get involved?

Beginning with the End in Mind

The circular economy, at its essence, focuses carefully on recycling from the point of initial creation. In other words, manufacturers are going to great lengths to design each vehicle and its components, so that they can eventually be recycled at their end of life.

Up until now, recycling was simply a question of working with what you've got and finding a way to re-purpose it. However, this approach would merely address a small part of the issue and instead, manufacturers now understand that they need to begin with the end in mind.

Focus on Longevity

Furthermore, manufacturers are increasingly focused on longevity, as this is a crucial role in the world of sustainability. If a vehicle has a relatively short lifespan, it is by definition more wasteful and the manufacturer needs to change this. Consequently, each carmaker is trying to work against its very reason for being, as after all, doesn't it make more sense to reduce the amount of time a particular vehicle is on the road when it comes to selling a replacement option?

This focus on longevity and customer experience could be part of a complete metamorphosis in the auto industry, as manufacturers become much closer to the user of the vehicle, rather than simply selling them a product.

Inevitable Trend

One way or the other, the circular economy is going to take hold and will finally take the process of recycling mainstream. Yet you can do your part before the industry reaches this tipping point, by recycling some of the parts on your older vehicle at an auto parts recycler.

Recycling Your Stuff

You will find that this segment of the industry is increasingly sophisticated by itself and you will invariably find a good market value for your scrap parts.

You owe it to yourself to find out more and to talk to auto recycling experts as soon as possible.