Sustainability Dictionary
Not familiar with sustainability terms and abbreviations? Become an expert and learn the most common expressions.
Sustainability Toolkit
Practical resources from the Auto Care Association Sustainability Committee to help your business recycle more, measure emissions and keep up with environmental rules.
Learn the basics
Terms, emissions scopes and what can be recycled or remanufactured.
Scope 1,2,3
In order to take action to reduce emissions, we need to understand and measure where they’re sourced from in the first place.
Recyclables and Remanufacturables
A comprehensive list of recyclables and remanufacturable items related to the automotive aftermarket and other goods.
Common Recyclables (Household and Office) 42 items
- Aerosol Cans
- Batteries
- Butane Canisters
- Cardboard
- E-Waste
- Computers
- Monitors
- Printers
- Smartphones
- Toner Cartridges
- Fire Extinguishers
- Fluorescent Lights / Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
- Glass / Glass Bottles
- Metal Products
- Aluminum Cans / Foil
- Steel Cans
- Tin Cans
- Packaging / Shipping
- Bubble Wrap
- Cardboard
- Foam
- Pallets
- “Peanuts”
- Plastic
- Paper Products
- Envelopes
- Magazines
- Mailers / Flyers
- Newspaper
- Sheet Paper
- Plastics / Plastic Bottles / Plastic Containers
- Polystyrene
- Propane Canisters
- Compostables
- Coffee Grounds
- Flowers
- Food Scraps
- Fruit Peels
- Non-treated Cardboard
- Plants
- Vegetable Trimmings
- Wet Newspaper
Recyclables (Automotive Industry) 34 items
- 55 Gallon Drums
- Aerosol & Non-aerosol Paint Cans
- Batteries of all types
- Body panels
- Buckets – Plastic & Metal
- Butane Canisters
- Car Carpets
- Car Mats
- Catalytic Converters
- Chemicals / Fluids
- Antifreeze
- Brake Fluid
- Coolant
- Freon / Refrigerant
- Gasoline
- Oil
- Paint
- Power Steering Fluid
- Transmission Fluid
- Hazardous vs Non-Hazardous
- Other, non-specified (Red Bucket Program)
- Filters
- Air
- Cabin
- Oil
- Glass Windows / Mirrors / Windshields
- License Plates & Frames
- Plastic Components, i.e., bumpers/fascias
- Propane Tanks
- Scrap Metals
- Spark Plugs
- Tires
- Windshield Wipers
- Wire / Wire Harnesses
Remanufacturable Parts (Automotive Industry) 61 items
- A/C Compressor
- ABS Control Module
- ABS Hydraulic Assembly
- ABS Wheel Speed Sensor
- Air Brake Disc Brake Caliper
- Automatic Climate Control Unit
- Body Control Module
- Brake Calipers, Pads, & Rotors
- Brake Lights
- Carburetor
- Catalytic Converter
- Catalytic Converter with Integrated Exhaust Manifold
- CV Axle
- Diesel Fuel Injector
- Diesel Fuel Injector Driver Module
- Diesel Fuel Injector Pump
- Diesel High Pressure Oil Pump
- Direct Injection High Pressure Fuel Pump
- Distributor
- Drive Motor Battery Pack
- Drive Shaft
- EGR Valve
- Electric Vehicle Battery
- Electric Power Assisted Steering Rack
- Electronic Clutch Actuator
- Electronic Throttle Body Module
- Electronics
- Engine Control Module
- Engines
- Fuel Injection Pump
- Fuel Injection Throttle Body
- Fuel Injector Control Module
- Fuel Injector
- Fuel Pump Driver Module
- Generator
- Headlights
- HVAC Auxiliary Fan Control Module
- HVAC Control Module
- HVAC Heater Control Panel
- Hydraulic Steering Rack
- Instrument Clusters
- Integrated Control Module
- Lighting Control Module
- Mass Air Flow Sensor
- Power Brake Booster
- Power Brake Booster Vacuum Pump
- Power Steering Control Module
- Power Steering Pump
- Power Steering Pump Kit
- Power Window Motor
- Powertrain Control Module
- Rack and Pinion Assembly
- Radiators
- Rotating Electrical
- Steering Gear
- Transmission Control Module
- Transmissions
- Turbocharger
- Water Pumps
- Windshield Wiper Linkage
- Windshield Wiper Motor
Policy & regulations
Policy & Advocacy
As a committee we aim to advise and influence legislative policies in the best interest of the environment and for the benefit of the members and their customers. Our auto care industry, as a whole, can benefit from awareness and consistent standards across the USA with reasonable evolutionary timelines.
ACA Legislation
A spreadsheet of sustainability legislation (update dated 2-29-24).
Recycling Regulations by State
Links to each state's recycling agency or program.
- Alabama state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Alaska state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Arizona state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Arkansas state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- California state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Colorado state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Connecticut state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Delaware state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Florida state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Georgia state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Hawaii state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Idaho state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Illinois state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Indiana state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Iowa state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Kansas state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Kentucky state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Louisiana state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Maine state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Maryland state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Massachusetts state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Michigan state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Minnesota state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Mississippi state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Missouri state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Montana state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Nebraska state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Nevada state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- New Hampshire state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- New Jersey state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- New Mexico state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- New York state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- North Carolina state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- North Dakota state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Ohio state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Oklahoma state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Oregon state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
- Pennsylvania state recycling resource (opens in a new tab)
No state matches that search.
Partner guides & articles
A Retailer’s Guide to U.S. Product Compliance and Sustainability
"Retailers are responding to increasing regulations and the growing consumer demand for sustainable products by adopting chemical policies to mitigate risks and provide more sustainable products."
70 Interesting Recycling Facts
"Explore 70 interesting recycling facts and trash facts, to discover why people find recycling so difficult, and to understand how we can improve our recycling practices."
Shop Towel Service vs. Disposable Wipes - Get the Facts
"Should your company choose disposable wipes or a shop towel rental program for your facility? Here are some facts to help you decide."
Programs & certifications
Schneider Electric (opens in a new tab)
Specializes in energy management and consulting for sustainability.
EPA Smartway Program (opens in a new tab)
EPA’s SmartWay program helps companies advance supply chain sustainability by measuring, benchmarking, and improving freight transportation efficiency.
ISO 50001 Certification (opens in a new tab)
Designed to support organizations in all sectors, this ISO standard provides a practical way to improve energy use, through the development of an energy management system (EnMS).
Energy Star (opens in a new tab)
The major difference between Energy Star and ISO 50001 is that Energy Star certifies achievement of an actual level of energy performance, while ISO 50001 verifies an organization has specified systems requirements in place.
Help build the toolkit
You don't need to be a committee member to support our mission.
Self Audit
A team of highly motivated industry volunteers is working on compiling a checklist for businesses to perform a self audit.
Would you like to support and become an active contributor?
Auto Care Impact
A team of highly motivated industry volunteers is currently fine-tuning this content.
Would you like to support and become an active contributor?
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