CITROËN COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Integration of environmental issues from design to vehicle recycling
At each stage of the vehicle life cycle, Citroën teams are mobilized to limit as much as possible the impact of the automobile on the environment: control of consumption, CO2 and pollutant emissions, reasoned use of natural resources, better recyclability, ... Citroën's commitment concerns:
- Taking environmental issues into account when designing products and services;
- The implementation of the principles of the circular economy, notably the reuse and recycling of materials.
CONCEPTION
“Green materials” are classified into three families:
- Recycled plastic materials;
- Materials of natural origin (wood, plant fibers, etc.);
- Biosourced materials (polymers not from the petrochemical sector but from renewable resources).
Their use has two main advantages:
- Reduce the use of plastics of fossil origin;
- Promote the development of plastic recycling sectors, by expanding their outlets.
Since 2008, Citroën has deployed an ambitious plan for the use of green materials. In 2018, their share was around 30% of the total mass of polymers in its vehicles, compared to an average of 6% in 2007.
REDUCTION OF CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONSCitroën deploys a wide range of technological solutions dedicated to reducing fuel consumption and pollutant emissions. New and future hybrid and electric engines will allow it to offer even more environmentally friendly vehicles.
With a mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid or 100% electric solution, Citroën will offer a 70% electrified offering in its range by 2023, then 100% in 2025.
NEW CITROËN C5 AIRCROSS An illustration of the use of recycled and natural materialsNew Citroën C5 Aircross contains an average of 31% recycled and natural materials.
Around 85 polymer parts incorporate recycled and natural materials, such as hemp fibers in the side door panel, recycled polyamide in the motor-fan unit, filters and air exchanger, and recycled polyethylene in the trunk carpet.
PRODUCTION
Citroën responds to environmental challenges by:
- Contributing to the fight against global warming;
- Limiting pollution, including discharges into water and the atmosphere;
- Preserving natural environments, biodiversity, and limiting the use of natural resources, especially water;
- Reducing waste production and recovering it.
Started more than 10 years ago, the certification process has reached maturity in our factories which are now all ISO 14001 certified.
Created in 1996, this standard requires in particular the implementation of means of monitoring, control and measurement of the effects of processes on the environment. To do this, its application requires appropriate training of all staff.
AFTER-SALES
To meet the increased imperatives of protecting our environment, Citroën is committed to 3 points:
- Selective sorting of automobile waste and its collection via approved organizations;
- Compliance of sites with national and European regulations;
- Traceability of waste and unused parts as part of their recycling.
In 2009, Citroën was the first automobile brand to obtain repair workshops labeled “Autoecoclean”, a label awarded by the independent organization Autoeco. This label rewards points of sale for sorting and collecting automobile waste. It commits the workshops over time.
- The first year of certification, the point of sale obtains the “Autoecoclean Bronze” label.
- After three consecutive years of certification, the label becomes “Autoecoclean Silver”.
- After two additional years, the point of sale which still respects its commitments is awarded the “Autoecoclean Gold” label.
- Finally, the “Autoecoclean Platinum” label is awarded to the point of sale if it continues to respect its commitments for 10 years.
In 2014, Citroën was the first automobile brand to obtain points of sale labeled “Autoecoclean Gold”. Since 2019, the number of points of sale labeled “Autoecoclean Platinum” has continued to grow.
Used parts Citroën workshops may be required to offer their customers, for the repair of their car, a quote based on used parts. These parts were selected from Citroën partners. Certified in excellent condition, they are ready for reuse for low-cost, high-quality repairs that contribute to the circular economy. Refurbished partsThanks to the standard exchange of spare parts, by giving them a second life, Citroën contributes to the preservation of the environment. Used parts from repairers are refurbished following a strict process, with the same requirements as original parts.
This range of refurbished parts is always guaranteed.
RECYCLING
For almost twenty years, the Citroën network has set up an organization to ensure the collection and processing of End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) under favorable environmental conditions. There are 7 steps to recycling a car.
STEP 1: RECOVERY
The last owner of the vehicle at the end of its life takes it to an approved recovery center. After checking the vehicle, the approved recovery center issues the mandatory certificate of destruction (CoD).
STEP 2: PRETREATMENT AND DEPOLLUTION
The battery and tires are removed. The airbags are deactivated. Our partner then removes the residual fuel and other liquids from the vehicle: engine oil, transmission oil, brake fluid and air conditioning cooling fluid. This polluting waste will then be 100% recovered within its specific treatment sector.
STEP 3: DISASSEMBLY FOR REUSE
The next step consists of dismantling mechanical or body parts, electrical or electronic components to reuse them as second-hand parts or recondition them. If economically viable, materials such as plastic or glass are also recovered for recycling at this stage.
STEP 4: STORAGE
Materials hazardous to the environment are recovered and sent to companies specializing in the recovery or destruction of waste.
STEP 5: GRINDING
The decontaminated carcasses are sent to a crusher which crushes and shreds them into pieces of a few centimeters on each side and which carries out an initial magnetic sorting in order to recover the ferrous metals (steel).
STEP 6: AFTER GRINDING
Grinding residues are sorted by automated processes using the physical properties of the material (magnets, eddy current, flotation) to obtain different types of material fractions.
STEP 7: RECYCLING, RECOVERY AND LANDFILLING
The fractions of materials once sorted are subject to material recycling (metals in steelworks/metallurgy, certain plastics in plastics processing) or energy recovery (cement plant, urban boiler room, power plant, etc.). This industrial process makes it possible to reuse, recycle and recover more than 95% of the weight of a vehicle, which significantly reduces the proportion of final residues then sent to specialized landfill sites.
RECYCLING YOUR CITROËN End-of-life vehicle take-back programRespect for the environment has always been at the center of our concerns. Today, recycling of end-of-life vehicles has become a legal obligation. Therefore, all Citroën vehicles at the end of their life must be taken back free of charge from the last owner, if they meet certain conditions (listed below).
To ensure that your vehicle is recycled in the most environmentally friendly way possible, we have commissioned independent experts. They check that vehicle returns are carried out in accordance with current legislation. They also certify that our Partners fulfill all legal obligations regarding recycling. Thus, in each of their establishments, all processes and documents related to input and output flows must comply with Citroën requirements.
(Service availability may vary according to location)
To ensure that all Citroën products meet recycling requirements, the research and development teams follow recyclability and reuse procedures.
Also used by suppliers, they also help analyze vehicle parts and components according to their recyclability and possible reuse.
The conditions for sustainable design are:
- A selection of sustainable materials;
- A design designed for depollution;
- A design designed for deconstruction.
Free recovery of your Citroën vehicle at the end of its life is possible if:
- The vehicle has a maximum of 9 seats or is a utility vehicle weighing less than 3.5 tonnes;
- The vehicle is registered in France;
- The essential parts are present on the vehicle;
- The vehicle does not contain any waste;
- The original vehicle papers are returned at the same time as the vehicle.
DEVELOPMENT
- Life cycle assessment
- Selection of sustainable materials
PRODUCTION
- Use of recycled materials
USE
- Management and disposal of waste at the approved repairer
- Re-use and renovation of spare parts
REPRISE
- Recovery of End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV)
- Depollution and pre-treatment
- Application of the European Directive
If you have an end-of-life car, take it to one of our approved recycling centers.
In addition to the certificate of destruction, they will give you all the necessary documents for deregistration of your vehicle at the prefecture. You can then leave with the assurance that it will be destroyed in an environmentally friendly manner.