Clean Car Campaign

The Clean Car Campaign of the Ecology Center works to address toxic and health issues related to the production, use and disposal of automobiles, and promotes fuel-efficient vehicle technologies. The Project works in the following areas:

Evaluating the Health and Safety of Vehicle Interiors

Everyone knows that cars are a major source of air pollution.  But most people don’t know that it isn’t only what comes out of tailpipes that’s the problem; but what’s inside the cars as well.  “New car smell,” for example, comes from toxic chemicals being released from plastics, foams and fabrics in auto parts such as the steering wheel, dashboard and seats. The Clean Car Campaign brings attention to the potential environmental and human health effects associated with chemicals in cars through HealthyCar.org: The Consumer Guide to Toxic Chemicals in Cars. This interactive website provides consumers with a means to compare the relative level of risk associated with different vehicles on the market.

Green Machines Tour

The Clean Car Campaign works to bring attention to fuel-efficient vehicle technologies that are being made and sold in the US. Launched in August 2004, the Green Machines Tour brings together local UAW officers, environmental organizations, auto industry representatives, and elected officials to promote fuel-efficient technologies and policies that can ensure that future advanced vehicle technologies are produced in the U.S.

Lead Free Wheels

The Clean Car Campaign organizes the Lead Free Wheels program to encourage a phase out of lead use in wheel weights and to encourage domestic production of lead-free wheel weights. The program has brought attention to the viability of lead-free alternatives by targeting tire retailers and fleet managers and providing cost buy down assistance to cover the cost difference between the lead and lead free wheel balancing weights.

Shaping Automotive Chemicals Policy

Program staff also engage in scientific research that helps call attention to a number of toxic substances that are inputs in vehicle manufacturing. These inputs are not only toxic to vehicle occupants, but are also hazardous to workers at manufacturing facilities and cause problems at the end of vehicle life when components are recycled, disposed or incinerated. The campaign works with auto companies and parts suppliers, evaluating their chemicals policies and the levels of toxins in their vehicles, and calling on them to replace harmful chemicals with available alternatives that are safer for people and the environment.

Promoting Sustainable Plastics

The Campaign works to promote the development and use of sustainable plastics in the auto industry. By choosing plastics made from renewable, recycled and recyclable materials, auto manufacturers can cut down on the stream of waste coming from scrap autos. Manufacturers should also choose plastics that are free of toxic substances. View the 2005 press release.

Partnership for Mercury Free Vehicles

The Clean Car Campaign helps coordinate the Partnership for Mercury-Free Vehicles, a unique coalition of environmental organizations and the entire chain of automotive recycling industries. The partnership was formed in 2001 to address the potential environmental and human health effects from the release of mercury from vehicles. Project staff work with the Partnership to call on automakers to share responsibility for the collection and recovery of mercury from their vehicles. Read Auto Mercury-Switch Recovery Reaches Million Marker in the March 2008 EcoLink.