Ford Recycles Enough Aluminum to Build 37,000 F-150s a Month
Blue Oval’s recycling system churns out an astonishing 20 million pounds of aluminum per month. But it’s what they do with that aluminum that is the most impressive part.
When you think about recycling aluminum, you probably think about tossing a few (OK, a lot of) beer cans in a bin. Then, one of two things happen. Either the recycling truck rolls by and picks them up, or you turn them in for a deposit refund. But Ford recycles aluminum on a whole different level. To the tune of 20 millions pounds per month, thanks to a revolutionary closed loop system designed by Chip Conrad, a Ford stamping engineer.
BUILDING THE PERFECT BEAST: Ford’s monthly recovered aluminum is enough to build 51 commercial jetliners.
The good thing is that all F-Series pickups now feature bodies made of aluminum, so the demand for the material is high. Chip’s new system debuted at the Dearborn Truck Plant initially, but has expanded to the Kentucky and Western New York plants as well. It first shreds large pieces of aluminum into smaller “chips” (get it?), which are sucked up by a huge vacuum.
Those chips then make their way through miles of tubing. They’re then sorted and placed in recycling bins by a computer. And finally, the bins are hauled off by truck and reused. And that 20 million pounds of monthly recovered aluminum? It’s enough to build an astounding 37,000 F-Series pickup bodies. Or 51 commercial jetliners, if you’re into that sort of thing.
RECYCLED FORD TOUGH: Blue Oval’s stamping engineer Chip Conrad developed closed-loop system that revolutionizes auto making.
The mass recycling process undoubtedly saves Ford a ton of money. But it’s also sustainable, clean, and great for the environment. So next time you toss those beer cans in your bin, just remember – they might end up as part of your next truck’s body.
