Recycle Your Car for the Environment

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How Automotive Recycling Saves the Planet - and Your Wallet

auto parts from recycled cars
When it comes to end-of-life vehicles, the outside world may think that a car or truck entering a salvage yard is simply stacked on top of other vehicles, awaiting its date with the car crusher. That may have been the case in junk yards of old, but it’s hardly an accurate portrayal of what happens in high-performing vehicle recycling operations today. 
 
In order to keep a deep supply of high-quality used parts in circulation, automotive recyclers have studied consumer behaviors to learn which parts are most sought-after and which ones can be re-used after removal from a retired end-of-life vehicle, or ELV. It might surprise you to learn that at the best auto recycling facilities, ELVs donate far more parts than just engines and transmissions. And an added environmental benefit is that in almost every case, recovering and refurbishing used parts contributes to a smaller carbon footprint than producing those replacement parts new.
 
Let’s take a look at some of the more valuable components that are removed from ELVs and used by owners who are still operating older cars and trucks – and rely on affordable used parts to keep their vehicles running safely. 



Essential parts found at salvage yards 

 
Used parts serve a few different purposes – here are some popular parts that recyclers put back on the shelf to keep drivers on the road:
 
  1. Air conditioning components: Compressors, driers, rotary controls, and heater cores are expensive parts to buy brand new. If one of these components fails in a vehicle, finding a known good replacement can rejuvenate an A/C system blowing hot air, and pay big dividends in preserving that vehicle’s resale value.
  2. Door panels, window glass, and mirrors: Many of us have been in the unfortunate position of a minor fender-bender causing a door to no longer function, or the loss of a mirror making safe driving difficult. These are some of the most readily available parts at a recycler’s operations, and can be replaced by many consumers with basic hand tools. Bumper covers are another popular body panel recyclers often keep on the shelf.
  3. Alternators, starters, and ignition components: Electrical components are tasked with reliably starting a vehicle thousands of times per year, often in extreme hot or cold conditions, and eventually break down. These parts are pricey to buy new, and are sometimes made obsolete by OEMs when a vehicle reaches a certain age; fortunately, automotive recyclers keep these parts on hand.
  4. In-car electronics: These days, even entry-level vehicles are often equipped with navigation systems or at the very least, complex driver control panels. These systems can fail with age, and are extremely costly to replace. Automotive recyclers pull these parts out as plug-and-play replacements, helping customers repair increasingly complex interfaces.
  5. Airbags: Airbags are one of the more expensive parts to replace in the event of a minor accident. While they undoubtedly keep occupants safe, a collision that can be repaired with a new bumper or body panel can oftentimes escalate rapidly in costs and complexity if an airbag has deployed. Qualified recyclers check to make sure an airbag hasn’t been recalled by a manufacturer or has otherwise expired, allowing drivers to buy a replacement unit for far less than they would find at a dealership. 
 

A promising solution for a strained environment

 
Many recycling programs have failed to meet ambitious goals set out decades ago. A recent report from The Recycling Partnership (“The Partnership”), a non-governmental organization committed to building a better recycling system, finds that only 21 percent of residential recyclables are being recycled. 
 
Conversely, automotive recyclers are able to consistently recycle up to 90 percent of the average vehicle, regardless of condition – and they’ve been hitting those numbers for years. By recycling your old car with the SHiFT automotive recycling program, you can recycle your car for the environment, and keep affordable used parts on the shelf for consumers who need them most. 
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