From plastic bottles to car parts

Some of GM’s water bottles are recycled into insulation for coats that can be turned into sleeping bags for the homeless. (Photo by Santa Fabio for GM)

GM is also turning recycled plastic water bottles into air filters for 10 of its facilities. (Photo by Santa Fabio for GM)

The OEM’s biggest use for recycled plastic water bottles is in the making of noise-reducing fabric insulation that will cover the V6 gasoline engine powering its Chevrolet Equinox sport utility vehicle. The bottles are being collected and recycled from four of GM’s Michigan facilities. (Photo by Santa Fabio for GM)

This fabric insulation, set on top of the engine as a demonstration, is made from recycled plastic water bottles and sits beneath the Equinox’s nylon engine cover to further dampen engine noise. (Photo by Santa Fabio for GM)

The governing mantra for this use of recycled material is that “waste” is in actuality a “resource out of place.” (Photo by Santa Fabio for GM)

Chevrolet restyled the Equinox for the 2016 model year with new styling, more "premium" accents, new wheel designs and new available safety features, as well as a larger color touch screen radio and a standard rear-vision camera for entry-level models. (Photo courtesy of GM)

The fabric made from the recycled plastic bottles helps further dampen engine noise to deliver a quieter ride. (Photo by Santa Fabio for GM)

GM Global Manager of Waste Reduction John Bradburn shows off the engine insulation fabric from used water bottles. (Photo by Santa Fabio for GM)