Recycling your Vehicle and Helping the Planet

The benefits of recycling your vehicle

Environmental sustainability is promoted by substituting the inputted raw material of your vehicle and redirecting the waste outputs into usable materials. Did you know that more than 80% of your vehicle's materials are recyclable, reusable, or used for energy recovery? Also, your dismantled junk can be used for spare parts.

Batteries, catalytic converters, some types of plastic and tires can be manufactured into new materials. Made from recycled tires are pavement bases for new roadways. Lead from the salvage of your vehicle battery makes up to 80% of the lead in new batteries. Dashboard components are remanufactured and turned into the shapes that specific businesses require. Your windshield will be crushed and used to make glass beads, porcelain, countertops, tile flooring, fiberglass insulation, even recast to manufacture concrete.

Steel and iron components make up 65% of your vehicle's frame. Scrap processors shred this and turn it into valuable ferrous materials. This byproduct is sold to steel mills. The average recycling rate for steel and iron in cars is about 90%. New ores are mined at much lower outputs because of this process, which saves much on greenhouse emissions and natural resources. Annually the U.S. steel industry saves the equivalent energy required to power about 18 million households by recycling.

Recycling your vehicle also reduces the carbon footprint of landfills. Additionally, you would be supporting growth in the economy by maximizing the value of the waste material collected.

How to Recycle Your Vehicle the Right Way

Remove Personal Belongings

Anything you could need at work or home, you can count on being in your car at some point. That’s why it’s important to be sure everything is out before you junk your car. It can be surprising what you find under the driver’s seat, or just how many CDs you’ve crammed into your console. Check everywhere just to be sure you’re not forgetting anything. Some good places to check are the glove compartment, any consoles, the trunk, between and under seats, under floor mats, and all the seat or door pockets.

Finding Scrap Car Buyers

Examine your vehicle and honestly assess its current state. Can it be driven? Are there any non-working parts that diminish value? What are the vehicle’s selling points? Having an outline of your car’s highs and lows will come in handy when receiving offers from junk yards. It doesn’t hurt to get multiple quotes beforehand.

Below are some of the top automotive recyclers that can give instant online offers.

ECOSAFE — This service finds local automotive recyclers that meet an eco-friendly standard of recycling.
RunBidSell — This provider runs an auction among scrap car buyers who instantly bid on your vehicle.
JunkCarWizard — The Wizard buys cars across the country in an environmentally safe manner.

Have Title Ready

Having a title and transferring it to the recycler is extremely important before selling your car. The title ensures the car is yours, thus giving you the right to sell it. If the title is in someone else’s name, such as a parent or spouse, you must have them transfer the title to you. While cars can be bought without a title, it is more difficult and not worth the liability. In general, it’s best to have a valid title.

Check Buyer’s Qualifications

Selling to an unlicensed automotive recycler is not only unsafe, but it can cause legal issues. Always ask to see your buyer’s business license before selling your car. If your dealer is not licensed, or will not show you their license, be wary of selling to them. As listed above, your buyer should always ask for and transfer the title to their name. They should also provide an active license which they have no reservations of showing to you.

By now, you should have a pretty good idea about how to junk your car. The process is well worth the outcome, a win-win for the planet, its population, you, and our economic resources.