Retailer Tip

BMW and Sustainability

For us at BMW sustainability is key.

Over the past decades BMW’s have carried out many projects to make sure that their commitment to becoming sustainable is achieved. We have implemented significant standards in the life cycle assessment of BMW vehicles, beginning before we even start production, starting with the resources used, through to the energy consumption, to the recycling rate. Bit by bit, our path towards an environmentally friendly and emission-free future is becoming a reality.

Discover more about what we are doing to create a more sustainable future below.

Mon 20 December 2021

Production

BMW is committed to keeping environmental impacts and resource consumption in the worldwide production as low as possible.

We made steps to have implemented environmental management systems at all the existing production sites, which are constantly being developed and optimised. We are also setting an important course with our recycling operations.

Recycling

Today, 99% of the waste generated by the global internal production of 2.5 million vehicles annually is recycled and recovered. And BMW are constantly working on raising this bar higher.

We already use around:

  • 25% secondary steel.

  • Up to 50% secondary aluminum in certain components.

  • Up to 20% secondary thermoplastics.

This use of secondary materials means we are reducing our CO2 footprint.

Did you know the BMW iX contains 132 pounds of recycled plastic!

Sustainable Materials

BMW is always striving to use only the best materials when we produce our cars. Take a look at the number of sustainable resources we are currently using below:

FSC Certified wood

At BMW we are committed to responsible and sustainable forestry by following to the strict standards of the Forest Stewardship council (FSC). What it is used for? Step inside the BMW i3 and you’ll find the instrumental panel which is made of FSC-Certified eucalyptus wood.

Kenaf

What is Kenaf? It is a plant from the hibiscus family with fibers that are put to a wide range of commercial uses! <br />What is it used for? The interior of the i3 comprises of 30% kenaf which sets the standard within the automobile production for the suitable deployment of resources.

Econyl

What is Econyl? A recycled material, made from nylon yarn that is extracted from nylon waste <br />What is it used for? Used to produce carpets. We use it in the upper layer of floor coverings as well as in the floor mats of the new BMW iX.

Natural Rubber

What is it used for? The production of tyres. <br />In 2019 BMW Founded the independent Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber. The objective: structure the entire value-added chain of natural rubber so that is demonstrably sustained. <br />

Sustainable materials and the BMW i3?

  • The BMW i3 has a recycling rate of 95%.

  • 30% of its interior comes from kenaf

  • To produce the textile materials, we use an innovative yarn manufactured from granulates made of recycled PET bottles.

Batteries

<br />Did you know we take back all used BMW high-voltage batteries worldwide and give them a second life? During their “second life” vehicle batteries are put to use in stationary storage systems. For batteries that have exceeded their useful life as stationary storage, we recycle the high-quality materials for the production of our new lithium-ion batteries.

<br />BMW has also made partnerships with Off Grid Energy to create another opportunity for a sustainable second-life solution for BMW electric vehicle batteries by supplying them with battery modules for them to create mobile power nits.

<br />We are already thinking into the future and soon only green electricity will be used in producing our fifth-generation battery cells. This will save around 10 million tonnes of CO2 by 2030.

Discover more about our electric range.

Discover Charging The BMW i Range

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