Recycled materials keep waste out of landfill, reduce pressure on natural resources and can reduce both energy consumption and costs. Ford scientists have been trying to replace petroleum-based plastics with bio-based materials and agricultural by-products since the turn of the century. We were the first automaker to use soybean-based foam and, over the years, we have also developed foams, plastics and composites derived from wheat, rice, castor, hibiscus, tree cellulose, jute and coconut. Today, we can proudly claim to use around 300 parts made using bio-based materials, and we’re exploring applications for tomato skin, bamboo, agave fiber, dandelion roots and algae as well. Find the recycled and bio-materials used in Ford vehicles in Andrew’s Garage.