We're wrapping up the month-long celebration of Earth Day with a collection of fun green automotive-related factoids we've discovered this month. We've got all kinds of automotive related tidbits here to show the breadth of eco-friendly practices in the automotive industry!

Does your car have the characteristic smell of kids? We're remembering the aroma of carsick kids and their spilled bottles and sippy cups... What about other nasty odors left behind by smokers, pets, sweawty spoprts equipment or spoiled snacks? We've tried Fresh Wave odor removing products  and absolutely LOVE THEM! Wave Sprays, Crystal Gels, Candles, Vacuum Pearls, Laundry Multi-Purpose Additive, Carpet Shake and Pearl Packs use the power of nature for safe, non-toxic odor elimination without the use of perfumes or fragrances, plus they're packaged in lovely containers that fit nicely into any decor. They're great for the home, car, office, cabin, boat, locker, gym bag, and every place else. Wherever you have an odor, there is a Fresh Wave solution. Using proven science, the natural ingredients in Fresh Wave products bond with odors to safely get rid of smells in the air, woven materials, confined spaces and everywhere else odors lurk. I left sachets in my stinky teen boy's room and they helped freshen his "aroma" and I keep a small spray bottle in the downstairs bathroom near the catbox. It doesn't matter where you use Fresh Wave, it works great!

General Motors has the world's largest rooftop solar photovoltaic power installation at its Zaragoza, Spain car assembly plant.  The Zaragoza installation covers about 2 million square feet of roof with 85,000 solar panels capable of generating 12 megawatt (MW) of power and has been on line since late 2008. GM also has two of the largest solar power installations in the United States on the roofs of parts warehouse facilities in Rancho Cucamonga and Fontana, California. The solar array in Rancho Cucamonga was the first public solar project in the US to create over 1 MW when it began operating in the fall of 2007. Since the inception of each Solar energy project -- Rancho, Fontana, and Zaragoza -- the systems have generated the equivalent of power consumed by 1887 homes annually.

In her research work at Ford Motor Company, Cynthia Flanigan seeks sustainable solutions that benefit the earth, society, and her community, as well as her loved ones and herself. It has been exciting for Flanigan to take part in the research and development of soy-based seating foam, watching the concept evolve from inspiration to production in eight Ford Motor Company vehicle lines. "My work is all about delivering environmentally beneficial solutions for the world our children will inherit," said Flanigan, a technical expert at Ford.  "In addition, it allows us to utilize local crops and products." With the current soy foam usage, Ford is reducing its use of petroleum oil by 1 million pounds, providing for a net decrease of more than 5 million pounds per year of CO2 emissions.  This technology is incorporated on products ranging from the entry-level Focus through Ford's larger luxury SUVs.

Kettle Brand Foods is committed to biodiesel, a renewable fuel resource that greatly reduces tailpipe pollution as compared to regular diesel, creates local jobs, and reduces dependence on foreign oil. On average, for every 7,600 bags of Kettle Brand(R)  potato chips they produce, they create one gallon of waste vegetable oil. This waste vegetable oil is aken to a biodiesel production facility which makes one gallon of 100% biodiesel for every gallon of waste Kettle gives them. All of Kettle's waste cooking oil is processed into 100% biodiesel which can be used in any diesel engine including the company's fleet of three "Bio-Beetle" company cars plus a local delivery truck -- resulting in an annual reduction of 8 tons of CO2 emissions. Yay! I've found a new earth-friendly  reason to eat potato chips!

Yokohama Tire Corporation utilizes its strength in technologies to protect the environment using company-wide mandates designed to help Yokohama harmonize its operations in everything from manufacturing to product design.  My favorite among Yokohama's many 'Green Initiatives' is the "Forever Forest" http://www.yrc-pressroom.jp/env_en/mori.html a long-term global venture that is part of Yokohama's environmental preservation activities and is designed to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The project initially broke ground at Yokohama's Hiratsuka Factory in Japan, where around 30,000 trees were planted, and Yokohama will ultimately plant 500,000 trees, creating nearly 25 acres of new forest. In 2009, approximately 2,000 trees were planted at Yokohama's Salem, Virginia facility, which will expand its existing forested area by nearly a full acre by 2014. There will also be a Forever Forest planting ceremony at Yokohama's U.S. headquarters in Fullerton in fall 2010.  Yokohama plans six other Japanese facilities and 10 overseas affiliates for future tree plantings.

Speaking of tires, ever wonder where your old car tires end up? We know some people recycling them by grinding up the old tires to reuse as paving material. Another use is to convert those tires into ground cover material for playgrounds, and energy intensive industries have been recycling them as fuel. But, how many of us ever think of converting those old tires into art forms and sculptures? Take a look at the creativity displayed in these photos of recycled tire art found at the dailyQi.com.  These sculptures are created by Korean artist, Ji Yong Ho, who sees beyond their dirty ugliness to create fantastic creatures with old rubber tires.