General Motors recently announced that it will be recycling oil spill booms from the Gulf Coast into new car parts!


Image: GreenStateServices

Remember all those oil absorbent booms that were used to clean up the massive Gulf Coast oil spill? Despite looking like long tubes of overstuffed socks, they’re great for absorbing and containing oil-based liquids. They were definitely useful for the Gulf Coast oil spill, and now they’re going to be useful for General Motors. GM has decided to reuse these booms and turn them into car parts such as air dams and water deflectors.

According to an article in GreenTechMedia, John Bradburn, a member of GM's Global Environmental Programs department, said “As early as next week, we will be making parts out of the absorbent booms from the Gulf.”  That was said on September 22, so GM should be well on its way to thoroughly cleaning, recycling and installing the booms in their cars. I do hope they thoroughly clean the oil from each boom. The last thing you need is the pungent odor of oil overpowering your new car smell.

This green initiative is a part of GM’s overall reusing and recycling strategy. GM already recycles 90% of its waste, and has generated $2.5 million in revenue since 2007 because of its recycling efforts. Plus, the company has a history of using material like recycled cardboard and tires in its new cars.


Image: WashingtonPost

I think that GM is making a bold move to recycle the oil absorbent booms. I just hope that they can get what once looked like the picture above to look like a brand new car part.