GM uses oil-soaked boom from Gulf of Mexico to make Chevy Volt parts

[Liberal_in_LA]

GM uses oil-soaked boom from Gulf of Mexico to make Chevy Volt parts

December 20, 2010 | 8:29 pm

Boom The plastic boom material used to soak up oil spilled in the Gulf of Mexico is being repurposed in the plug-in hybrid electric Chevrolet Volt.

General Motors said Monday that it was using more than 100,000 pounds of the plastic for under-hood parts that would deflect the air around the vehicles’ radiators.

The material would otherwise be sent to landfills or burned.Volt

Boom will be used in about a quarter of each part, mixed in with recycled tires, reused plastics and polymers, according to General Motors. Plastic pulled in from the gulf will supply enough resin for the Volt parts for at least a year.

The first Volt was sold in an online auction earlier this month to a Chevrolet dealer, who shelled out $225,000. The funds will be donated to the Detroit Public Schools Foundation.

The Volt is now gradually rolling out to the general market.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2010/12/chevrolet-volt-uses-oil-soaked-booms-from-gulf-of-mexico-to-make-parts.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheTechnologyBlog+%28Los+Angeles+Times+Technology+Blog%29

[nosmokes]

1. cool, but in a very warped sort of way.

[Clio the Leo]

2. Kick! Heard this earlier today....

.... talk about making lemonade.