Recycled Plastic Benches, Now From Subaru

Colin
By Colin Wood
Feb 5, 2020 | Subaru, Subaru Loves the Earth, Recycling

Photograph Courtesy Subaru

A shining beacon of automotive environmental responsibility, Subaru, is continuing their "Subaru Loves the Earth" initiative by making picnic tables and park benches out of recycled plastics. Working in partnership with recycling firm Terracycle, the benches are made by taking discarded plastics—like candy wrappers and coffee pods—and turning them into pellets. These pellets then can be "molded" into just about any piece of outdoor furniture that one can imagine (even playground equipment). No word yet on a WRX version, though.

Learn more about the process here.

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Comments
David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
2/5/20 10:38 a.m.

I'm down for a BRZ version, too. 

mr2s2000elise
mr2s2000elise Dork
2/5/20 10:39 a.m.

Pretty cool. Maybe they can concentrate on building higher quality cars instead. 

Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
2/5/20 1:33 p.m.

I think their environmental initiatives are interesting considering they don't really make a lot of hybrids.

It might be the better option than just cranking out a hybrid and saying "good enough."

_
_ Dork
2/5/20 1:50 p.m.

"Hey, why does the STI dashboard smell minty?"

salesman:"it's made from recycled wrappers. The mint smell is added so you don't smell the condoms"

turtl631
turtl631 HalfDork
2/5/20 2:15 p.m.

I actually thought years ago that they would jump on hybrids.  It seemed that it would make sense for the next generation of WRX, they were always high-tech cars with the turbo engines and all-wheel drive.    I would appreciate for them to update the WRX and especially the STI with that old ass EJ25 rather than making some recycled plastic benches. Also salty that they sell only a lifted wagon with a CVT.  The enthusiasm seems to have gone out of the company now that they are selling a large amount of bloated CVT people movers.

DirtyBird222
DirtyBird222 UberDork
2/5/20 2:32 p.m.
Colin Wood said:

I think their environmental initiatives are interesting considering they don't really make a lot of hybrids.

It might be the better option than just cranking out a hybrid and saying "good enough."

They are slaying it in their marketing and advertising campaign. They are focusing their efforts so hard on the outdoor image, dog loving, and quasi-environmentalists that they don't need to develop more hybrids or an EV. Just look at their continually increasing sales figures over the last few years. They are going to ride out their current technologies until their bottom line starts shrinking and they have to work on something new. People are eating up their advertising.

My baby momma, her mother, her sister, her brother-in-law, and cousin all have Subarus because it makes them feel less like "soccer moms" and more like "adventurous/outdoorsy moms" by simply having a Subaru. They also send you cute little badges to affix to the rear of your car for "3rd time owner! Runner! Kayaker! Fur-Baby Friend!" 

I want to dislike them because of this; however, you have to admire how well they are doing. We as car people scoff at it and knock their less than desirable power numbers and build quality or how they put all their performance cars to the side at the LA Auto Show while the Outback XT was the star; but, it's working. It's a marketing masterpiece in my opinion. 

I think they will have to backtrack in a few years when the crossover fad dies down, the interest in EVs and hybrids increases more than it already has, and they are still stuck with gutless 150-175hp boxer enginer connected to a soulless CVT, in a 3400lbs crossover. 

z31maniac
z31maniac MegaDork
2/5/20 2:41 p.m.
turtl631 said:

I actually thought years ago that they would jump on hybrids.  It seemed that it would make sense for the next generation of WRX, they were always high-tech cars with the turbo engines and all-wheel drive.    I would appreciate for them to update the WRX and especially the STI with that old ass EJ25 rather than making some recycled plastic benches. Also salty that they sell only a lifted wagon with a CVT.  The enthusiasm seems to have gone out of the company now that they are selling a large amount of bloated CVT people movers.

We are supposed to get a new STi at the end of the year..................I'm really curious what the specs/performance are going to be.

slowbird
slowbird Dork
2/5/20 3:19 p.m.

I thought this was going to involve WRX STi rear wings being turned into park benches.

Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
2/5/20 3:32 p.m.

In reply to DirtyBird222 :

That's pretty much exactly the discussion I had with David about this. The fact that Subaru doesn't really produce a "green" car, but still has a reputation as one of the most environmentally conscious car brands is really fasinating to me.

Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
2/5/20 3:32 p.m.

In reply to slowbird :

Also a valid option for outdoor seating.

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