Toronto, Ontario — Held on July 11, the International Roundtable on Automotive Recycling (IRT) hosted the webinar “Vehicle Recycling: Sustainable by Default and Driving the Charge,” presenting a comprehensive overview on sustainability efforts being made in automotive recycling.
Hosted by Haydn Davies, Director of Auto Recycling World and presented by Tom Rumboll, U.K. Managing Director for IAA and CEO of SYNETIQ and Steve Fletcher, CEO of Automotive Recyclers of Canada (ARC), the webinar featured a robust question and answer session that addressed various aspects of vehicle recycling and sustainability.
During the event, Rumboll specifically highlighted a 96 percent recycling rate at SYNETIQ—an organization that offers a proprietary online salvage auction platform to see vehicles and usable non-critical green parts from those deemed non-roadworthy.
Moreover, Fletcher provided a comprehensive overview of ARC’s sustainability efforts over the past 12 years. The organization collaborates with seven provincial associations and 350 auto recyclers to implement national programs and engage in international discussions on auto recycling.
One notable initiative by ARC discussed during the event was the Canadian Auto Recyclers Environmental Code (CAREC), developed with Environment Canada.
CAREC is a third-party audited standard focusing on pollution prevention and waste management. The system, which includes a scoring mechanism, has led to improvements in environmental performance among ARC members, with national average scores rising to 88 percent.
During the webinar, both Rumboll and Fletcher discussed the calculation of CO2 savings per recycled part type compared to new aftermarket parts, using consultancy data to demonstrate the environmental benefits.
Additionally, both speakers addressed safety protocols for handling electric vehicle batteries, emphasizing containment and collaboration with OEMs and fire safety experts to help mitigate risks.
Both Rumboll and Fletcher further emphasized the industry’s leadership role in sustainability efforts. Here, Rumboll predicted advancements in zero-carbon vehicles and cradle-to-cradle manufacturing within the next five years, while Fletcher stressed the importance of collaboration and documenting sustainable practices.
To see the full webinar, click here.
