News & Profile | NewsRelease | Subaru Corporation

Isuzu, Suzuki, Nissan, Nissan Diesel, Fuji Heavy Industries, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus today agreed on the establishment of the Automobile Shredder Residue Recycling Promotion Team (ART).

The ART has been formed in line with the End-of-Life Vehicle Recycling Law (Vehicle Recycling Law) coming into effect in January 2005 as an important component of the framework for the effective, smooth and efficient recycling of automobile shredder dust (ASR). ASR is one of the products carmakers will be obliged by law to recover and recycle as a Designated Recycling Product.

The ART will therefore take responsibility for corporate activities as part of an effort by the eight companies that ranges from ASR recovery to recycling and disposal. Specifically, the companies will appoint a consultative operating panel which will ally with a number of commercial operators with recycling know-how, set ASR recovery criteria and designated recovery locations, and examine recycling methods.

In addition, the group will seek efficiencies by outsourcing the work involved in shipping management, recycler/final disposal handler management and payment for recycling and disposal fees to businesses and other entities that have the relevant know-how.

This alliance was formed through the judgment of each vehicle manufacturer, and was decided upon after meticulous examination over the seven months since last June. The new partnership will be extremely competitive, making the most of each company’s strengths. The ART will ensure transparency in all activities, observing the requirements of the law whilst aiming to minimize costs through streamlining those activities. The makeup of the team is flexible, and members will be able to participate or pull out freely as circumstances change. As a result of consultations between ART participating members, Nissan has been selected as team leader.

The formation of the new eight-company alliance enables the carmakers to share the knowledge of recycling they have accumulated, and its structure will also allow commercial entities to contribute their know-how. The amassing of ASR from all companies is also expected to generate economies of scale. Therefore, this alliance will give scope for benefits exceeding those that would accrue if each vehicle manufacturer recovered and recycled ASR independently.