Toyota’s ‘Circular Factory’ Idea Recycles Entire Cars
Toyota has a new facility that will soon begin recycling whole cars. These vehicles, which Toyota and the European Union call “end-of-life vehicles” (ELVs) are effectively junkers. These cars are on their way out, likely by way of a junkyard. Of course, that whole “Law of Conservation of Mass” principle means we can’t create nor destroy matter (cars included). So, instead of letting old cars sit in a junkyard, Toyota will begin repurposing, recycling, and even remanufacturing these tired old cars.
- Founded
- 1937
- Founder
- Kiichiro Toyoda
Could a turbocharged hybrid Corolla be coming? How about more body styles for the Energizer Bunny of Toyotas?
Your Old Toyota Could Be Recycled After It Dies
The company says the new Toyota Circula Factory will evaluate each ELV before it is sorted into three categories: some will be resold, others refurbished, and the rest recycled. Toyota stressed that the parts will be subject to a “comprehensive” evaluation before being repurposed, so don’t expect a dusty decade-old Tacoma window switch in your 2027 Camry. Reusable parts will be sold both through Toyota retailers and via parts distributors. Critically, raw materials used in the production process, like copper, plastic, steel, or aluminum, will be recycled and used to produce new parts.
Toyota will initially open its Circular Factory at a facility in the UK. The Derbyshire plant will begin recycling cars in “the third quarter of this year.” Based on Toyota’s press materials, it seems Toyota will first expand its recycling operation to the rest of Europe. There’s no word yet on if the initiative will be used globally, but given the fact there’s an old, used-up Toyota sitting on pretty much every continent right now, it’s hard not to see the automaker eventually expanding beyond Britain and the EU.
“We initially anticipate recycling around 10,000 vehicles a year in our UK facility, which will give new life to 120,000 parts, recover 300 tons of high-purity plastic and 8,200 tons of steel, among other materials. As a next step, we plan to roll out similar operations across Europe. And we’re not stopping at our own facilities – we are eager to collaborate with other organizations who share our passion for circularity and commitment to carbon neutrality.”
Leon van der Merwe, TME Vice President of Circular Economy
TopSpeed’s Take
This initiative is truly a no-brainer. Toyota is able to take responsibility for the scores of unused vehicles sitting around the EU and Britain while also repurposing them and making some money off the old parts. This win-win also benefits the environment. Cars are very hard to get rid of due to that pesky conservation of matter principle outlined above. Automakers need to continue to explore options to recycle and reduce their dependence on new materials. Some day we’re going to run out.