According to Canadian Auto Recyclers Magazine, Collision Repair readers have reported in a survey of using a lower quantity of recycled parts in their collision repair businesses through 2020 compared with previous years.
Although 64 per cent of readers said, their collision repair businesses used around the same amount of recycled parts in 2020 compared with the previous year, nearly 30 per cent of respondents said they had stopped using as many recycled parts. Only seven per cent used an increased number of recycled parts.
It seems, from the survey, the quality of recycled parts was a concern. All respondents agreed that the quality of parts was often a disappointment on parts ordered from auto recycling facilities. In 2018, that figure was 80 per cent.
One respondent wrote:
“Part quality differs from listed on a consistent basis.”
Although there was some annoyance at parts quality labelling inconsistencies, it is not the only concern, as inconsistencies in how a product looks when it arrives is also a significant concern.
“Most insurers only pay one to a maximum of two hours to clean-up used parts, so we generally check with the recycler on the quality before quoting used parts. We never use items like bumpers unless it’s dictated by the insurer. Clean-up time is, too often, more than we are paid to do.”
But it seems, according to the survey, more customers going to collision repair businesses requesting the use of recycled parts, which could come down to the sector’s focus on its ecological benefits. In the same survey, close to three-in-ten respondents indicated that customers requested recycled parts over new ones.
According to Canadian Auto Recyclers, “when they spoke with drivers in 2017, none of the 16 sampled drivers said they felt comfortable having repaired parts used in their vehicle. Following the results of the Collision Repair survey, this magazine reached out to the same 16 drivers.”
“Four stated a preference for recycled products. All of those who had been swayed said they viewed recycled products as more sustainable.”
“Even if there’s no difference in price, I’d prefer the greener option.”
Source www.canadianrecycler.ca
