CITROËN’S COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
THINKING ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES FROM VEHICLE DESIGN TO RECYCLING
At every step of the vehicle life cycle, the teams at Citroën work hard to keep automotive environmental impact to a minimum by monitoring consumption, CO2 emissions and pollutants, maintaining mindful use of natural resources, improving recyclability and more.
Citroën is committed to:
. Thinking about environmental issues right from the design stage of its products and services
. Implementing circular economy principles, including material recycling and reuse.
DESIGN
“Green materials” fall into three categories:
. Recycled plastic materials;
. Natural-origin materials (wood, plant fibres, etc.);
. Biosourced materials (polymers made from renewable resources instead of petrochemicals).
There are two main advantages to using these:
. It reduces the use of fossil-fuel plastics;
. It promotes the development of plastic recycling facilities by increasing their throughput.
Citroën has been rolling out an ambitious plan for using green materials since 2008. In 2018, they accounted for around 30% of the total polymer mass in our vehicles, compared to an average of 6% in 2007.
REDUCING EMISSIONS AND CONSUMPTIONCitroën uses a wide range of technological solutions specifically designed to reduce fuel consumption and pollutant emissions. We’ll also be able to use the new and emerging hybrid and electric engines to create vehicles that are even more environmentally-friendly.
Citroën is aiming to make 70% of its range available in electrified versions by 2023, and 100% by 2025, with mild-hybrid, rechargeable hybrid, and 100% electric solutions on offer.
NOUVEAU CITROËN C5 AIRCROSS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW WE USE RECYCLED AND NATURAL MATERIALSOn average, New Citroën C5 Aircross contains 31% recycled and natural materials.
Around 85 polymer-based parts incorporate recycled and natural materials such as hemp fibres in the side door panel, recycled polyamide in the electric fan unit, air filters and cooler, and recycled polyethylene in the boot carpet.
PRODUCTION
Citroën is responding to environmental issues by:
. Helping to tackle global warming;
. Lowering pollution, including pollutants released into the air and water;
. Preserving natural habitats and biodiversity, and using less natural resources - especially water;
. Reducing the amount of waste produced and adding value to it.
THE ISO 14001 CERTIFICATIONWe have been working towards certification for over 10 years and are now seeing the results in our plants, all of which are now ISO 14001 certified.
This standard was created in 1996. Its requirements include that plants are capable of monitoring, controlling, and measuring the effects of processes on the environment, meaning that all staff require suitable training.
AFTER-SALES
In response to the increasing need to protect our environment, Citroën is committed to 3 things:
. Automotive waste recycling and collection from approved organisations;
. Site compliance with national and European regulations;
. Traceability of waste and end-of-life parts so that they can be recycled.
PARTS FROM THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY LONG-TERM COMMITMENT Client, technicien et ë-C4 Electrique devant un Atelier Citroën
In 2009, Citroën was the first car manufacturer to have our repair shops awarded the “Autoecoclean” label, which is a label awarded by the Autoeco independent body. This label recognises points of sale for the recycling and collection of automotive waste. It also promotes long-term involvement.
. After the first year of certification, the point of sale is awarded an “Autoecoclean Bronze” label.
. After three consecutive years of certification, the label is upgraded to an “Autoecoclean Silver” award.
. After two additional years, points of sale which are still meeting their commitments are awarded the “Autoecoclean Gold” label.
. Finally, the “Autoecoclean Platinum” label is awarded to points of sale that have continued to meet their commitments for 10 years.
In 2014, Citroën was the first car manufacturer to have points of sale receive an “Autoecoclean Gold” label. Since 2019, the number of points of sale labeled "Autoecoclean Platinum" has continued to grow.
REFURBISHED PARTSThanks to the standard exchange of spare parts, by giving them a second life, Citroën contributes to protect the environment. Used parts from repairers are refurbished according to a strict process, with the same requirements as those of the original parts.
This range of refurbished parts is always guaranteed.
RECYCLAGE
There has been a structure set up for the environmentally-friendly collection and processing of end-of-life vehicles (ELV) within the Citroën network for over 15 years. There are 7 stages to the recycling process of a car.
STEP 1: TRADE-IN
The last owner of an end-of-life vehicle takes it to an approved trade-in centre. The approved trade-in centre then checks the vehicle and issues the required Certificate of Destruction (CoD).
STEP 2: PRE-PROCESSING AND DEPOLLUTION
The battery and tyres are removed, and the airbags neutralised. Next, our partner removes any remaining fuel and other liquids from the vehicle: engine oil, transmission oil, brake fluid, and air conditioning coolant. This pollutant waste will then have 100% of its value reinstated in their specialist treatment facility.
STEP 3: DISMANTLING FOR RE-USE
The next step consists of dismantling mechanic parts, bodywork, and electrical and electronic components. These will either be reused as used parts, or reconditioned. If it’s economically viable, materials such as plastic and glass are also salvaged for recycling at this point.
STEP 4: STORAGE
Environmentally hazardous materials are recovered and sent to companies specialising in waste recycling or destruction.
STEP 5: CRUSHING
The depolluted shells are sent to a crusher, where they are crushed and shredded into pieces only a few centimetres in size. These pieces are then sent through an initial magnetic sorting process to recover any ferrous metals (steel).
STEP 6: POST-CRUSHING
The remaining crushed material is sorted automatically, using physical properties (magnets, Eddy currents, flotation) to separate the different types of material fragments.
STEP 7: RECYCLING, RECOVERY AND LANDFILL
Once sorted, these material fragments are recycled (metals are sent to steelworks/metalworks, and certain plastics back to the plastics industry) or converted into energy (cement works, urban heating, power stations, etc.). This industrial process means that over 95% of a vehicle’s weight can be reused, recycled or upcycled, which greatly reduces the amount of final waste ultimately sent to specialist landfill sites.
RECYCLING OF YOUR CITROËN TRADE-IN SCHEME FOR END-OF-LIFE VEHICLESLooking after the environment has always been a central focus for us. Now, end-of-life vehicle recycling has become a legal requirement.
This means that owners of any end-of-life Citroën vehicles can trade them in for free, providing that they fulfil certain conditions (listed below).
So we can make sure that your vehicle is recycled in the most environmentally-friendly way possible, we have commissioned a team of independent experts to check that vehicle returns are carried out correctly, and in compliance with current legislation. They also certify that our Partners fulfil all legal recycling requirements. This means that at each of their sites, all processes and documents relating to incoming and outgoing vehicles must comply with requirements set out by Citroën.
To make sure that all Citroën products can be properly recycled, our research and development teams follow recyclability and reuse processes.
These are also used by suppliers, and help us to analyse vehicle parts and components in terms of their recyclability and potential for reuse.
The conditions for sustainable design are:
. A range of sustainable materials
. Depollution as a design factor
. Deconstruction as a design factor.
TRADE-IN CONDITIONS OF YOUR VEHICLEYou can trade in your end-of-life Citroën vehicle free of charge if:
. The vehicle has a maximum of 9 seats or is a commercial vehicle weighing less than 3.5 tonnes;
. The vehicle is registered in France;
. The vehicle still has all its essential parts;
. The vehicle does not contain any other waste;
. The vehicle’s original paperwork is returned at the same time as the vehicle.
VEHICLE LIFE CYCLE FROM DESIGN TO DESTRUCTIONDevelopment
. Life cycle analysis
. Selection of sustainable materials
Production
. Use of recycled materials
Active life
. Waste management and disposal by approved repairers
. Reuse and refurbishment of spare parts
Trade-in
. End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) trade-in
. Depollution and pre-processing
. Compliance with the EU directive
TRADE-IN NETWORK WHERE CAN YOU RECYCLE YOUR VEHICLE?If you have an end-of-life car, take it to one of our approved recycling centres.
In addition to the Certificate of Destruction, they will provide you with all the necessary documents to deregister your vehicle with the relevant authorities. You’ll also be able to leave safe in the knowledge that your vehicle will be destroyed in a way that is environmentally friendly.