The term ‘plastic waste’ conjures images of plastic bags, straws, takeaway containers, and plastic bottles. But have you ever wondered what happens to car bumper bars at the end of their life?
Until recently I will admit that I had not given it a lot of thought.
Automotive plastic waste is a relatively unseen issue. You drop your old car off at the wreckers and then it’s out of sight, out of mind. But all those parts are going somewhere, and unfortunately the Australian automotive industry has a plastic recycling rate of just 1.9%, with most plastic waste ending up in landfill.
Boxhead Plastics, a trailblazing Australian not-for-profit organisation, sees a better way.
We recently had the privilege of interviewing Bec Healy, Founder and CEO of Boxhead Plastics, to learn more about the waste challenges Australia’s automotive industry is facing, and how Boxhead Plastics are leading the way towards a solution.
Help rescue a mountain
of bumper bars
Boxhead Plastics is raising funds for a bumper bar collection from Wallsend, NSW – a location that currently has no option to recycle due to its distance from recycling facilities.
Where did the inspiration for Boxhead Plastics come from?
I grew up on 40 acres of mainly bushland, in rural NSW. Both my parents were pioneers in their efforts to care for and protect our environment, so I have always been conscious of the impacts I am having on our earth.
I reached a stage in my life where I was fortunate enough to be in a position to turn my passion and care into a business, where I can dedicate my life to our mission of diverting automotive plastic waste from landfill.
What challenges are we facing in Australia with regards to automotive plastic waste?
The Australian automotive industry consumes 196,800 tonnes of plastic annually and only 3800 tonnes of this is recovered, giving the industry a recycle rate of just 1.9%.
Boxhead Plastics was founded in response to this plastic waste crisis. There are challenges at all stages of the process from collection and recycling, to remanufacturing. Car bumper bar waste is of particular concern as it is a bulk waste item soaking up landfill space.
Are there any specific challenges that regional and remote areas are facing?
The biggest issue rural and remote areas face is the cost to have their scrap plastic car bumper bars collected and transported to a recycling facility. These recycling facilities are predominantly located in the metropolitan area of Sydney, and there is only a handful of facilities that accept car bumper bars for recycling.
What kind of solutions do you hope to see in future? And how is Boxhead Plastics leading the way?
We want every scrap plastic car bumper bar in Australia collected, recycled and remanufactured back into products right here in Australia. Boxhead Plastics provides a closed loop system of plastic car bumper bar collection, recycling, and remanufacturing.
Since October 2021, Boxhead has recycled 2.6 tonnes of car bumper bars. Our skilled team has forged a chain of local industry relationships that allow us to reliably manage this bulk waste item at each stage of the remanufacturing cycle, making our not-for-profit organisation both commercially viable and scalable through a replicable business model.
Can you tell us a little about your collection and recycling process for car bumper bars?
Our customers are smash repair and panel beat shops across Sydney and surrounds. We collect and transport their scrap plastic car bumpers bars to our recycler in Seven Hills. This recycled material is then used to manufacture products such as our Naiteev Golf Tees and our Naiteev Drink Coasters.
What fuels your fire and gets you going each day?
Our team of 11 amazing volunteers who dedicate their time to our mission of diverting every scrap plastic car bumper bar in Australia from landfill. And our local community that continues to support us to see our mission carried out.
How can people help support you in your mission?
We are raising funds for a bumper bar collection from Wallsend, NSW – a location that currently has no option to recycle due to its distance from recycling facilities. You can support that project here.
By purchasing our products on www.naiteev.com the funds go straight back into diverting more scrap plastic car bumper bars from landfill. You can ask your local smash repair and panel beat shops if they recycle their car bumper bars. And you can follow us on social media (LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram) to help us share our story and get the message out there.
