Clunkers are common in the LHS parking lot, creating unpleasant sights and smells.   They may be a right of passage for most teenagers, but teens aren’t the only ones suffering.  These clunkers take a heavy toll on the environment.

The Car Allowance Rebate System, also known as Cash for Clunkers, aimed at helping not only the economy, but the environment as well.  The government issued $3 B to the program that lasted from July 24 through Aug. 24.

Cash for Clunkers allowed people to bring in their old gas guzzling cars and trade them for new fuel efficient ones.  The clunker had to get less then 18 MPG, and be less then 25 years old.  The program gave between $3,500 and $4,500 towards the new car.

Dealers are not allowed to sell the clunkers; they must recycle the old cars.  Cars brought in to trade can never pollute the air again,

“Once the dealership receives money, the cars tanks get filled with sodium silicate, and they are sent to the recycling centers.” Kyle Skillman of Graham Automotive said. 

Sodium silicate is a solution of salt and sand that makes the cars irreparable.

The program’s popularity exceeded the government’s expectations.  The original $1 B dedicated to the program was guzzled up shortly, and as a response, congress approved an additional $2 B for the program on Aug. 6.  The money helped over 700,000 people buy fuel efficient cars.

Senior Kylie Purtell participated in the program, trading her ’91 Lexus LS 400 for a ’09 Honda Civic, a 10 MPG upgrade.

“I am really excited about getting a new car,” Purtell said.  “I feel like I’m helping the economy and the environment, all while getting rid of my old car.” 

Many auto companies struggled to keep up with the demand for new cars.  Ford cut most production of its F150 trucks in order to increase production in their more fuel efficient cars like the Focus.

Most feel this program had the best intentions, some wonder if it will bring negative effects for the economy. 

“It will probably be a short term fix for the economy” Skillman said. 

While no one can tell what kind of turn the economy will take once the programs effects start to wear off, one thing is for sure, the individual benefitted, and hopefully we will see a jumpstart in the economy.