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Building on a Legacy, Riverbend Recycled Auto Parts

Riverbend Recycled Auto Parts at Jeff Smid Auto has been a cornerstone of sustainable vehicle recycling in the Quad Cities for nearly 20 years. From quality used parts to responsible end-of-life vehicle disposal, Riverbend continues its legacy of keeping valuable materials out of landfills while serving the community. And with that mission, they are a natural and trusted partner to the SHiFT Vehicle Retirement Initiative®, where vehicles are recycled to completion.

AP: Study Finds EVs Quickly Overcome Their Energy-Intensive Build to be Cleaner Than Gas Cars

While there is a bigger carbon footprint in the very short term because of the manufacturing process in creating the batteries for electric vehicles, very quickly you come out ahead in CO2 emissions by year three and then for all of the rest of the vehicle lifetime, you’re far ahead and so cumulatively much lower carbon footprint.

The True Cost of Keeping a Car You Don’t Use

Keeping an unused car might seem harmless, but it comes with hidden costs — from insurance and registration fees to pollution and rust. Learn how letting go through SHiFT® can save money and the planet.

How to Bring Circular Thinking Into Everyday Life

Circular thinking isn’t just for businesses or sustainability experts — it’s a mindset that anyone can adopt. By looking at what we buy, use, and throw away through a new lens, we can keep valuable materials in motion and reduce waste. From repairing at home to recycling vehicles responsibly through SHiFT®, small actions create lasting impact. In the words of Robin Wall Kimmerer, “The stories we choose to shape our behaviors have adaptive consequences.” Here’s how to build circular habits that sustain both people and the planet.

SHiFT® and Stadium Auto Parts Featured in The Colorado Sun

SHiFT® was recently featured in The Colorado Sun for helping get old, high-polluting vehicles off the road and advancing sustainable auto recycling. The article spotlights SHiFT’s guaranteed vehicle retirement process and highlights certified partner Stadium Auto Parts, an 80-year leader in responsible recycling. Together, SHiFT and Stadium ensure every vehicle is processed to completion—engines decommissioned, materials reclaimed, and pollutants kept out of the environment. Read more about how SHiFT and our partners are creating a cleaner, more circular future for automotive recycling.

Spotlight on a Trusted Partner: Cocoa Auto Salvage

For nearly five decades, Cocoa Auto Salvage has been a trusted name in Florida’s Space Coast community — helping drivers find affordable, high-quality OEM parts while protecting the planet through responsible recycling. Founded by Doug and Linda Lathem in 1978, this family-run business has grown from a two-person operation into a modern, environmentally conscious recycling facility. As a SHiFT Vehicle Retirement Initiative® partner, Cocoa Auto Salvage ensures every retired vehicle is recycled to completion, reducing carbon emissions and promoting a truly circular automotive economy. Learn how they’re driving sustainability forward in Central Florida.

Auto Recycling: The Original Recycling Industry

Before household recycling programs existed, there was auto recycling. For more than a century, automotive recyclers have been reusing, repurposing, and responsibly processing end-of-life vehicles. This article explores the roots of the industry—from early scrap yards to today’s high-tech recycling facilities—and highlights how automotive recyclers became pioneers of sustainability, efficiency, and circular design. Learn why auto recycling remains one of the most impactful environmental solutions and how programs like SHiFT® ensure every vehicle is recycled to completion.

Circular Economies Explained: What They Are and How We Can SHiFT® to Them

Circular economies challenge the wasteful “take, make, dispose” model by keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible. From repairing and reusing to recycling and regenerating, circular thinking offers a smarter path forward for individuals and communities alike. This post explains what circular economies are, how they compare to today’s consumption habits, and how SHiFT™ helps us make the transition — starting with our vehicles.

Driving Change: SHiFT Joins Leaders at the 82nd Annual ARA Convention & Expo

SHiFT joins recycling leaders at the ARA Convention & Expo in Birmingham, AL to push for cleaner, greener standards in auto recycling—benefiting consumers, fleet managers, and insurance companies alike.