Reducing, reusing, and recycling...three missions American automaker Ford outlines in their global sustainability strategy. And while, we don't always talk about it, the company is working hard to fulfill its environmental commitments.

Over the past few years, Ford has paid particularly close attention to recycled plastics and bio-based materials, integrating them into their vehicles whenever possible so long as the components meet stringent durability and performance tests. Did you know, for example that many Ford seat cushions are made using soy...that many of the plastics used are filled with wheat straw...that recycled resins are used for the underbody systems?

To think these are only a handful of the many ways Ford is reducing, reusing, and recycling. The one we'd like to focus on here, however, are eco-friendly Ford seals and gaskets. Together with Recycled Polymeric Materials, Ford has created an effective method of blending recycled tire particulate with soy to create these essential components. And, while they're just as durable as traditional rubber seals and gaskets, they're also considerably lighter.

Ford originally introduced its new, lightweight, eco-friendly gaskets and seals in 2008. Three years later, in 2011, they're used in 11 new Ford models, including the:

-        2011 Ford Escape
-        2011Ford Taurus
-        2011 Ford Flex
-        2011 Ford Fiesta
-        2011 Ford Mustang
-        2011 Ford Focus
-        Ford Transit Connect
-        2011 Ford F-150
-        2011 Ford F-250
-        2011 Ford F-350
-        Lincoln (Ford's luxury arm) MKS

Interested in learning more about Ford's environmental initiatives? Stay tuned. Norris Ford, located at 901 Merritt Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21222, is dedicated to keeping you up to date.

Source: ¹http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=34906