Ford recycles 20 million pounds of aluminum a month

By Paul Ploumis (ScrapMonster Author)

April 29, 2016 07:13:01 PM

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster):Ford recycles as much as 20 million pounds of aluminum stamping scrap per month using the closed-loop system at Dearborn Truck Plant which builds F-150.

That is the equivalent of more than 30,000 F-150 bodies in the largest configuration – a SuperCrew body including doors, plus hood, tailgate and 6.5-foot cargo box.

Opting for aluminum over steel in new automobile construction is the best way to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, according to Oak Ridge National Lab.

Recycled aluminum avoids 95 per cent of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with primary aluminum production.

It uses significantly less energy and water – another reason Ford F-150 leads the full-size truck pack in terms of lifetime carbon footprint.

Weight savings from aluminum alloy helps F-150 reduce its lifetime emissions compared to the previous steel-body version.

Between 30 per cent and 40 per cent of a typical aluminum coil is turned into scrap in the stamping process.

This is recycled into new metal for the truck using the closed-loop system.

When equipped with the available 2.7-litre EcoBoost with standard Auto Start-Stop technology, F-150 4×2 has best-in-class EPA-estimated gasoline fuel economy ratings of (US) 19 mpg city, (US) 26 mpg highway and (US) 22 mpg combined (actual mileage will vary).

Courtesy: www.wheels.ca