Ford Says New Vehicle is 85% Recyclable

Ford (NYSE: F) announced that its latest version of the Explorer is 85% recyclable.

The SUV also includes 25% recycled fabric in its interior and the bio-foam seat padding Ford has been developing in recent years. 

Ford said the use of recycled fiber instead of virgin fiber results in an estimated 20% reduction in energy consumption, 17% waste elimination and 14% reduction in CO2 emissions for the Explorer’s seating materials.

The Explorer is the latest Ford vehicle to feature 40% soy polyurethane foam in seat cushions and seatbacks. Ford aims to use the bio-based material in nearly 100% of its North American vehicles by the end of the year.

Ford also is reducing its use of virgin steel by an estimated 119 tons a year by making the vehicle’s fender baffles from the steel left over from stamping out the door openings of its F-150 truck body sides.

The company also said the 2011 version will be a class leader in fuel economy–achieving a 30% improvement with Ford’s latest powertrain. Ford did not give mpg figures for the new vehicle.