In the journey to a cleaner environment, automakers like Ford are doing more than just building more efficient engines. We've talked about the all new Ford Focus EV, and we've shared with you how efficient Ford's new EcoBoost engine is. And of course, you know that Ford uses recycled materials whenever possible, and continues to work to reduce the carbon footprint of their production facilities. This month, we've learned the Ford has partnered with Repreve to use plastic bottles in their seat cover materials.

As it stands, all new Ford models are 85 percent recyclable at the end of their life. But their goal is to make their vehicles 100 percent recyclable. We have no doubt that they'll reach their goal, since they already use soy foam seat cushions and head restraints, wheat straw-filled plastic, recycled resin for underbody systems, recycled yam seat covers and natural fiber plastics for the interior. Their next step: using 2 million plastic bottles for the seat covers in all of the new Ford Focus Electric models.

"Ford is committed to delivering vehicles with leading fuel-efficiency while targeting at 25 percent recycled content in seat fabric across our lineup," says Carol Kordich, Lead Design of Sustainable Materials at Ford. "The Focus Electric highlights this commitment as Ford's first gas-free vehicle, and the first in the automotive industry to used branded Repreve."¹

Never heard of Repreve before? It's a yarn made from recycled materials that goes into products in a wide variety of industries, including furnishings, apparel, military, medicine, and yes, automotive. Ford plans to collect plastic water bottles at auto shows over the next year or so, and Repreve will use an environmentally friendly process to turn the bottles into the fabric that will line the seats of the Focus EV.

Each Focus will use 22 recycled bottles, keeping PET out of landfills, and making the car the greenest in Ford's lineup yet!

Want to learn more about all of the things Ford is doing to reduce their carbon footprint? Stop in and see us at Keller Bros Ford, we're happy to give you a tour of the entire lineup of gas-sipping, eco-conscious new Ford models. We're conveniently located at 730 S Broad St Lititz, PA 17543, swing by during our regular business hours, or contact us via our website to schedule a test drive.

Source: ¹http://www.triplepundit.com/2012/01/ford-divert-2-million-plastic-bottles-landfill-seat-covers/