1st Choice Spares

05/06/2026

Interesting little read:
“Of course, there are some limitations – for example, with bumpers, we cannot go to more than 25% recycled materials today due to shock resistance, particularly when it’s cold outside. But that’s not the main problem.

“The main problem is the cost. When you have something that’s the same price, or more cost-effective, it’s low-hanging fruit. But when we did an analysis, to see whether there was any recycled material that was slightly less expensive than the virgin material, nobody was able to tell me.”

SustainabilityOnline talks to Renault Group's Francois Farion about the need to balance sustainability commitments with customer expectations.

30/05/2026

Well, that's me told!

29/05/2026

Interesting read:
' For recyclers, the study shows why future compliance will depend on better OEM data, standardised dismantling guidance and clearer take-back routes for heavy-duty vehicles.'

Long-haul trucks offer significant circularity potential, but recyclers face high dismantling costs, limited OEM data, export-related visibility gaps and complex design barriers.

23/05/2026

Feeling conflicted...

22/05/2026

'Under the wider understanding, the US committed to keep a maximum tariff ceiling of 15% for most EU exports, including cars and car parts'

The EU and US agree to eliminate tariffs on industrial goods and expand market access for select agricultural products.

16/05/2026

HMS Discovery?

15/05/2026

Interesting:
'Although automotive mechanics are relevant workers for the industry, their competence does not fully cover, in this context, environmental remediation and reuse, which constitute a significant part of the occupation. Furthermore, the assessment indicates that the dismantling process is sufficiently extensive to constitute a distinct vocational field. There is a considerable difference between dismantling individual components for replacement in a workshop and dismantling an entire car.'

Norway is formalising vehicle dismantling as a distinct apprenticeship trade, giving ELV operators a clearer route to recruit, train and retain skilled workers for a more circular automotive sector.

09/05/2026

Well, I thought my cycle path design had potential...

08/05/2026

Interesting article:
"One of the largest untapped values in recycled vehicles is the electronic control modules that are beginning to show up in yards... The average age of a car that enters the self-service recycling yard is approximately 14 years, and those 2012-era vehicles were just beginning to see computers become prolific. Those components can carry significant resale value if properly identified and removed."

For decades, the economics of automotive recycling have been firmly anchored in metals – steel, aluminum and copper have long delivered reliable value streams supported by mature infrastructure, global commodity markets and relatively straightforward processing. Today, however, that long-standing ...

02/05/2026