Before green became chic there was remanufacturing, which has always been the ultimate in recycling and green manufacturing.
"We're going carbon neutral by 2040!"
"No more tailpipe exhaust from our vehicles by 2035!"
"We're going all electric!"
You've likely heard at least one, if not all, of these claims from every vehicle manufacturer in the market. The societal demand for companies of every industry and every product niche to invest in advancing their sustainable technologies, reducing their carbon footprint, and upholding their social responsibility is at an all time high - and companies are catering to that demand throughout their marketing efforts, especially the automotive industry.
Every vehicle manufacturer has renewed their focus on the environment by advertising better fuel economy, more recyclable vehicle content and the reduced impact of their manufacturing on the environment.
And while it is easy to get caught up in the lofty promises of companies to "do better" for people and our planet, there is another preventive step toward sustainability whose recognition has lagged well behind the proof of its benefits: remanufacturing.
Remanufacturing was "green," before green was chic.
Before green became chic there was remanufacturing, which has always been the ultimate in recycling and green manufacturing. Few people realize the impact that buying reman can have.
Remanufacturing helps the environment in several different ways, including:
Let's discuss these benefits in a bit of detail.
Environmental and energy benefits of remanufacturing
Energy Conservation
Automotive and truck parts are kept out of the resmelting process longer because of remanufacturing. The remanufacturing process only requires 15% percent of the total energy it takes to manufacture new parts by reusing the original parts, also known as cores, that come off vehicles. As a result, millions of barrels of oil or comparable forms of energy are saved.
Raw Material Conservation
Remanufacturing gives a product numerous lives instead of just one, thereby saving on raw materials. Over 85% of the raw materials used to manufacture the original part are saved during the remanufacturing process, which results in millions of tons of natural resources such as iron, aluminum, copper, etc. being saved annually.
Landfill Space Conservation
Landfills are spared from the dumping of millions of tons of iron, aluminum, copper, etc., because of the monetary value the industry places on parts. This "core charge" provides an incentive for individuals and companies to return their cores to remanufacturers, resulting in parts that are given new life.
Air Pollution Reduction
By reducing the amount of discarded products, remanufacturing also reduces the greenhouse gas emissions associated with material decomposition in landfills and through incineration. Keeping parts out of the resmelting process benefits the environment by reducing the air pollution that is generated by resmelting.
Increased Fuel Economy
Replacing high mileage injectors with GB Remanufactured injectors can result in increased fuel economy and reduced emissions, both of which benefit the environment. Replacing the entire set in the event one fails ensures consistent injector flow rates and optimum fuel atomization.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that if you've been purchasing remanufactured products, you are already participating in the movement for sustainability in a more impactful way than you might realize.
If you aren't already purchasing remanufactured products, let's address the elephant in the room. Despite the significant environmental and energy benefits of the remanufacturing process, you might be held captive by a question that we know gives lots of individuals pause about purchasing remanufactured parts. "Are reman parts good quality? Can reman be as good as new?"
If those questions have crossed your mind, we would love to clear some things up. Check out our article "Can reman be as good as new?" to learn more.
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