# Environment-Friendly Tradeoffs Clean the Air Foundation Plants a Tree for Polluting Cars Donated By Parul Rohatgi | Published 2012-04-16 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/trees-for-trade-ins References: [greencarreports](http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1075278_coloradans-donate-an-old-polluting-car-get-a-tree-planted) & [cleartheairfoundation.org](http://www.cleartheairfoundation.org/web/trees_tradeins.htm) Clear The Air Foundation, founded by the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association, has launched a new, innovative 'Trees for Trade-Ins' program to appeal to the growing [eco-consciousness of consumers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retail-consumer-connection). Under the Trees for Trade-Ins program, if you live in Colorado, and own a pre-1990 car, you can donate it to the foundation. The Foundation in turn will donate to ReForest Colorado the cost of [planting one tree](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/greenpublic) in an area which needs cover. The person donating the car also gets tax credits, based on the car’s value. A unique feature of this program is that the donated car is not re-sold, or put back on the roads to pollute. The car is stripped, and all parts destroyed or sold as scrap. The money gained by selling the scrap is again donated to [air pollution-linked causes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wildfire-relief-initiatives). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.2/10 - Popularity: 28% | Activity: 29% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) > [Transportation](https://www.trendhunter.com/transportation) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Eco-conscious Consumerism:** Innovative programs like 'Trees for Trade-Ins' appeal to consumers' growing eco-consciousness, creating opportunities for businesses to develop environmentally-friendly products and services. - **Sustainable Transportation:** The 'Trees for Trade-Ins' program highlights the trend towards sustainable transportation options, opening up avenues for companies to develop electric vehicles and other eco-friendly modes of transport. - **Circular Economy:** The practice of stripping donated cars and selling the scrap for air pollution-linked causes aligns with the emerging trend of implementing circular economy principles, presenting opportunities for businesses to adopt similar practices across various industries. ### Where This Applies - **Automotive:** The 'Trees for Trade-Ins' program creates disruptive innovation opportunities for the automotive industry to explore sustainable car recycling models and develop eco-friendly vehicles. - **Environmental:** Environmental organizations and initiatives can leverage the success of the 'Trees for Trade-Ins' program to develop similar initiatives that address air pollution issues and promote tree planting in other regions. - **Carbon Offsetting:** The 'Trees for Trade-Ins' program presents opportunities for carbon offsetting companies to collaborate with automotive organizations and offer carbon neutral solutions for vehicle emissions. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Air-Purifying Tree Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/treeone.md) - [Smokeless Fire Pit Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tradein-event.md) - [In-Game Tree-Planting Initatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/match-masters.md) - [Community Tree-Planting Applications](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/furthr.md) - [Environmental EV Air Purifiers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/audi-urban-purifier.md) - [Tree-Planting Retail Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/albertsons-companies.md) - [Environmental Action Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clean-something-for-nothing.md) - [Tree-Planting Spa Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/environmental-sustainability-program.md) - [Pollution-Removing Murals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/this-campaign-sucks.md)