The Ford Bronco Sport is a unique vehicle for many reasons. The Bronco Sport is a relatively new vehicle on the market. Now, the Bronco Sport comes with some new features and the typical list of updates that cars receive from one model year to the next. This year, the Ford Bronco Sport is comprised of materials made from recycled plastics that come from the ocean, which makes Ford the first automaker to use such materials in its vehicles.
Ford's “Ghost Gear”
The term might not yet be a household name, but Ford is looking to change that. The company just started to use “ghost gear,” the term for ocean-sourced plastics, in the Bronco Sport. More specifically, the wiring harness clips in the SUV are comprised of ghost gear. Recycled materials from the water used in the wiring harness clips are made primarily of nylon that has the strength and durability of products previously sourced from petroleum. However, the nylon materials in the car's wiring harness clips are more cost-effective and don't use as much energy for production. The wiring harness clips are a small component on the SUV. They have a total weight of about five grams and attach seamlessly onto the sides of the Bronco Sport's seats in the back row, where they are then attached to the curtain airbags. The nylon used in the clips is just as durable as clips that are made out of petroleum, which is what most wiring harness clips are made of.
Why is Using Recycled Ocean Materials Important?
Ford's use of recycled ocean materials is a smart move for many reasons. Ultimately, the brand is helping to reduce the volume of harmful materials that enter the ocean and cause serious threats to ocean life. Ghost gear is the main component in objects called “ghost nets,” which are essentially plastic fishing nets used in the fishing industry to catch large volumes of fish. Unfortunately, the fishing nets also capture other kinds of aquatic life, including dolphins, sharks, seals, and sea turtles. Birds can also become entangled in the dangerous nets. Taking ghost gear out of the oceans, even in small increments, reduces the volume of harmful materials that end up in fishing nets and cause harm to animals that encounter them.
Jobs Creation
In addition to simply helping Ford reduce its environmental impact, the development of the new wiring harness pins helps to create jobs. Many other companies are exploring those materials for uses beyond automobiles, including other consumer goods.
Contact us to learn more about Ford's sustainability initiatives today.