Aside from the arc of high mileage commuters and the occasional large flex-fuel or clean diesel vehicle, the Green Car Parade held yesterday also launched Denver Auto Week and a new program to clear the air and get old polluting vehicles off the road.
Tim Jackson, president of the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association (CADA), announced they have formed the Clear the Air Foundation, a 501(C)3 nonprofit. The mission of the Foundation is to accept high-polluting vehicles as donated items and then transfer them to auto recyclers across the state.
The recyclers will dismantle and crush engines, shells and frames thereby ensuring the vehicles are removed from the roadway, while the crushed metal is shredded and recycled.
“Half the emissions from vehicles in Colorado come from fewer than five percent of all automobiles,” Jackson said. The data comes from studies conducted by DU professor Don Stedman, using remote sensors to measure emissions on passing vehicles.
“These are high emitters, which Dr. Stedman calls, ‘gross emitters.’ One gross emitter contributes as much emissions to the atmosphere as 100 new cars in dealer showrooms,” Jackson said.
According to the foundation, 84 percent of an automobile can be recycled, making it one of the most reusable products on the market. They also pointed out this program will benefit only one group – those who breathe.
A fundraising event for the foundation this Wednesday will provide attendees a preview of the 2011 Denver Auto Show and support The Denver Post Community Charities. The event will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Colorado Convention Center. Tickets can be purchased at CharityPreviewParty.com
For more information about how to donate a vehicle, contact Jill Unfried, program coordinator for Clear the Air Foundation at 303-880-5139 or visit ClearTheAirFoundation.org.
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