OARA’s CO2e Data and Car-Part.comAutomotive recyclers are at the forefront of sustainability. By quantifying recycled parts’ carbon savings in the internationally-recognized units of CO2e savings, we provide a valuable service to the collision repair/insurance sectors. Our parts help repairers meet net-zero targets that insurance companies are setting. We also tap into the global environmental trend, providing consumers with information so they can choose the more environmentally-friendly option. Recently, the Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association (OARA), in collaboration with Oakdene Hollins, released a pivotal environmental impact study detailing the emissions savings achieved by using recycled parts instead of new ones. At Car-Part.com, we’re proud to support and expand on this groundbreaking work, integrating the CO2e savings data into our marketplaces and management systems to highlight the environmental value of recycled auto parts.
CO2e savings data is a great resource to promote our industry. With the data now available from the OARA study, Car-Part is making it clear to shoppers that recycled parts are the eco-friendly choice. In our marketplaces, we now show consumers the CO2e emissions they can save by opting for popular recycled parts. On Car-Part.com, the information is also featured prominently in a green banner at the top of the search results.
CO2e savings are also live in our professional marketplaces, Car Part Pro and Integrated Car Part Pro (iPro). Not only is that information on the initial search results, but CO2e data is also calculated for an entire assembly when iPro matches components (from the estimate) to an entire recycled assembly (available in the marketplace).
Consumers are increasingly seeking “green” options, and highlighting CO2e savings is an excellent way to encourage the use of recycled parts. 35 million metric tonnes (35 billion kg) of CO2e would be saved annually, if quotes for top recycled parts in Car-Part. com’s North American marketplaces were used instead of new parts.
As we’ve rolled out this feature, people have asked us if CO2e is just a “feel good” stat, and asked why we are so focused on it. It’s important to quantify the sustainability advantages of recycled parts, especially within the context of net-zero targets. Insurance companies like Aviva are establishing net-zero targets for their supply chains and partner shops. By providing CO2e savings to the collision repair industry when they are making part sourcing decisions, we can increase the use of recycled parts. In Canada there are 5,000 estimators with iPro integrated into Mitchell Cloud Estimating, which is a great opportunity for recyclers to help repairers and insurers meet their net-zero targets! We also provide CO2e Savings Reports for insurers and MSOs/banners using the professional iPro marketplace. The Analytics available in these reports help these companies meaningfully measure the emissions they’ve saved by choosing recycled parts. This will reduce their need to financially invest in carbon removal measures, like carbon credits. We anticipate that these will play an even larger role as the net-zero initiative progresses.
Car-Part has also built this CO2e data into the Checkmate inventory management system by including CO2e savings information on statements, invoices, and quotes. This is a super easy way to remind customers that you’re a key provider when they’re looking for a sustainable solution. It also strengthens the reputation of the recycled auto parts industry as a whole.
As net-zero tracking methodologies become more mature, there will be more scrutiny of the CO2e data we provide. It is important that the global recycling community can come together and agree on common methodologies and standards for CO2e reporting. The various regions have different initial conditions, but it’s important that we all use agreed-upon standard methodologies to calculate CO2e savings, even if regional CO2e savings differ. Standardization will bring more legitimacy to our industry and our quantification of CO2e savings. The Japanese Auto Recycling Association (JARA) provided the initial CO2 savings studies many years ago. Vehicle Recyclers Association (VRA) published a study of CO2e savings in the UK, and also provided extensive documentation on their methodology, which is an important step forward in driving international standards around our methodologies. Recently, the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) has done work to provide CO2e savings data in the US market. We’re looking forward to seeing the many ways the industry will harness CO2e savings data! At Car-Part, we’re committed to leveraging the CO2e data to drive meaningful change, so together we can strengthen our industry.
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