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  2. Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program

Automotive Manufacturing Sector—P2 Opportunities

Automotive Manufacturing Sector 2020 Quick Facts
  • Number of facilities reporting to TRI: 823
  • Waste managed: 176 million pounds
  • Releases: 16 million pounds
  • Top chemicals released: glycol ethers, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, n-butyl alcohol, xylenes
  • Number of source reduction activities: 120

The U.S. automotive manufacturing industry, as defined by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes 3361-3363, has been implementing pollution prevention (P2) projects in its operations. To track trends in P2 and other sustainable practices, the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program analyzed the automotive sector’s TRI data to characterize:

  • the major sources of chemical releases and the quantities released;
  • how these sources and release quantities have changed over time; and
  • the types of practices used to reduce pollution.

TRI Waste Managed and Releases

For TRI reporting, the quantity of “waste managed” includes chemical waste managed through recycling, burning for energy recovery, treatment, or disposal/release into the environment following routine production practices. Between 2005 and 2020, the quantity of waste managed decreased by 17%, while releases alone decreased by 64%.

This chart shows the amount of production-related waste managed by the automotive sector.

To view details on waste disposed of or otherwise released, toggle to the “releases” chart.

 

Notes: 1) Automotive manufacturing sectors include: Motor Vehicle Manufacturing (NAICS 3361), Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing (NAICS 3362), and Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing (NAICS 3363). 2) Managed waste quantities include release quantities. 3) For comparability, trend graphs include only those chemicals that were reportable to TRI for all years presented.

Sources: U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory - 2020 National Analysis Dataset, Published October 2021; Federal Reserve Board of Governors, Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization, released October 2021.

In the context of TRI, a “release” of a chemical generally refers to an emission into the air, discharge into surface waters, or disposal in some type of land disposal unit. Releases are one part of a facility’s total waste managed.

 

Notes: 1) Automotive manufacturing sectors include: Motor Vehicle Manufacturing (NAICS 3361), Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing (NAICS 3362), and Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing (NAICS 3363). 2) Releases in this chart include both routine production-related and non-routine (one-time) releases. 3) For comparability, trend graphs include only those chemicals that were reportable to TRI for all years presented.

Sources: U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory - 2020 National Analysis Dataset, Published October 2021; Federal Reserve Board of Governors, Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization, released October 2021.

Chemicals

Metals and metal compounds account for about 71% of the total quantity of TRI chemical waste managed by the automotive industry. However, when considering releases alone, the industry releases far more organic solvent chemicals than metals and metal compounds. These releases are mostly to the air and are mainly due to the use of volatile compounds in paints and other coating formulations. The figure below compares the 10 chemicals released in the largest quantities in both 2005 and 2020. Except for sodium nitrite, the amount of chemical waste released decreased dramatically from 2005 to 2020.

 

Note: 1) In this chart, metals are combined with their metal compounds, although metals and compounds of the same metal are listed separately on the TRI chemical list (e.g., nickel is listed separately from nickel compounds). 2) Two chemical names are abbreviated in this chart. The full names of these chemicals are 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene (1,2,4-TMB) and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK).

Source Reduction / Barriers Reported to TRI

Reduced environmental releases are driven in part by the implementation of source reduction activities. Each year, facilities report their newly implemented source reduction activities to TRI, and have the option to report any barriers to source reduction that they encounter.

 
Source: U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory - 2020 National Analysis Dataset, Released October 2021.

Observations from the TRI data regarding the source reduction activities reported by automobile manufacturers for 2020 include:

  • Within this industry, 60 facilities reported 120 source reduction activities for 38 chemicals and chemical categories.
  • For metals, good operating practices were the most common source reduction activities reported. Good operating practices include activities such as improved maintenance, scheduling, and training.
  • Process modifications were commonly reported for other chemicals, and include activities like reducing the use of organic solvents and modifying equipment.

Reduced environmental releases are driven in part by the implementation of source reduction activities. Each year, facilities report their newly implemented source reduction activities to TRI, and have the option to report any barriers to source reduction that they encounter.

 
Source: U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory - 2020 National Analysis Dataset, Released October 2021.
 

Observations from the TRI data regarding the barriers reported include:

  • For the 2020 reporting year, 166 barriers were reported by the automotive manufacturing industry.
  • The most reported barrier was “No known substitutes or alternative technologies” (presented as “No Known Substitutes” in the graphic). This barrier was primarily reported for metals and metal compounds which are present in the sector’s input materials, such as steel or aluminum alloys. Causes for this barrier to source reduction may include a lack of awareness of substitutes, stringent material specifications, or product testing/performance requirements.

Sustainability in Automotive Manufacturing

Even as automobile manufacturers have achieved environmental improvements by implementing source reduction activities, the sector continues to develop innovative methods to prevent pollution. Current and emerging opportunities for improved environmental performance in the sector include:

  • Reductions in material use: Efforts to reduce material use at its source have the most direct impact in decreasing TRI chemical releases. For example, the use of lead-containing solder is being eliminated, and the use of copper in brake pads has been reduced.
  • Transition to environmentally-friendly coating/painting options: UV-curable paints have provided manufacturers with low-energy coating options, and water- or bio-based paints greatly reduce or eliminate the use of organic solvents.
  • Application of bio-based materials: Where material use cannot be reduced, bio-based materials are emerging as safer, biodegradable alternatives. Automakers are already incorporating plant-based materials in vehicle interiors and coatings. Bio-based alternatives are also being developed for more functional vehicle components such as tires and tubing.
  • Increased recycling throughout the life cycle: High recycling rates for manufacturing materials and end-of-life vehicles have mitigated TRI chemical releases and supplied automakers with recycled input materials.

For More Information

  • Explore the automotive manufacturing TRI data using EPA’s TRI Toxics Tracker
  • Learn about P2 progress and opportunities for automotive suppliers (pdf)
  • To read a more comprehensive analysis of the data from 2005 to 2015, refer to the Automotive Manufacturing Profile, Chapter 6 of Green Energy to Sustainability: Strategies for Global Industries.

Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program

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Last updated on October 29, 2024
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