Guide to Auto Recycling in Iowa

What is Auto Recycling?

Auto recycling is the process used by Iowa’s licensed and certified recycling yards to remove valuable components and materials from junk cars which have reached the end of their useful life. At IA auto recycling centers, vehicles are carefully divided into:

parts that can be reused or repaired
bulk materials like steel, aluminum, and some plastics that can be refined and reused for new part production
fluids like washer fluid, oil, antifreeze, and gasoline for refinement and responsible disposal

Check out additional awesome nerdy details about the car recycling process here.

Why Recycle My Car?

Iowa owners understandably look for the best possible value when scrapping their car. Reselling or trading in your older car can help you recoup some money, but donating it for recycling offers unique advantages — like a potential $500 tax deduction — and some programs will even accept a vehicle in any condition. Arguably, the largest benefit of donating your car for recycling is the significant positive impact it will have on the environment.

Vehicles are 85-90% recyclable when they are donated to the right program, thanks to years of innovation. The best processes maximize the reuse of parts and materials, eliminating carbon emissions from producing new parts or from landfill dumping.

Fully retiring older, less efficient gas engines has additional benefits. On average, these older engines emit 5-10 tons of CO2 per year! Your donation can eliminate a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions simply by finding a reputable recycling program in Iowa. Want to see the impact for yourself? Use our carbon impact calculator to explore how your choices to fully recycle your car and upgrade to a greener vehicle, or even switching to public transit, would positively impact on the environment.

Best Way to Recycle Your Car in IA

Unfortunately, not all end of life vehicles are processed the same. In many cases when vehicles are traded in, sold directly to junk yards, and even when donating to some charities, your car is resold in other countries instead of being recycled. Without the same strict emissions standards we have in the U.S., this means your old vehicle or engine may continue to run without proper emissions control equipment like catalytic converters, polluting at even higher rates than when you owned it.

Iowa’s most environmentally conscious auto recycling program is the SHiFT Vehicle Retirement Initiative®. Every vehicle that passes through our doors is recycled in a way that would make our Mother Earth proud. When you donate your car with SHiFT, you’re guaranteed that:

The process will be hassle-free – we will accept your vehicle in any condition, working and registered or not. All we need is your car and the title
Your vehicle is recycled by only the best certified, and professionally maintained auto recycling facilities, using the latest sustainable protocols
Your old engine will not be repurposed or resold, and will never have the opportunity to pollute the environment again
You’ll receive a carbon reduction certificate and tax receipt

When you choose SHiFT, you aren’t just throwing away a junk car — you’re taking actionable steps to reduce waste, conserve resources, and eliminate carbon emissions for our planet with our unique engine retirement guarantee. Learn more about the SHiFT initiative here

Our 4 Easy Steps to Car Recycling in Iowa

Step 1: Fill out the donation form

We’ll ask for some information about your vehicle including the VIN, year, make, model, mileage, and condition. Then you’ll tell us your contact information and where the car will be picked up. If you’re completing the form on a mobile device, you’ll also have the option to take photos of your vehicle.

Step 2: Track your vehicle

After you submit the donation form, you will receive a confirmation email with access to your Donor Console. From the Donor Console, you can track your car donation in real-time. You’ll also be able to access title transfer instructions and tax information.

Step 3: Schedule car pick up time

We’ll assign your vehicle to a licensed towing agent. The towing agent will contact you within 2-3 business days to schedule a car pick up time most convenient for you. Your car will be towed for free! At the time of pick up, you’ll hand over the car keys and signed title to the tow driver.

Step 4: Count your carbon offset

After your car is picked up and received by a licensed recycler and SHiFT partner, you will receive a certification of carbon reduction. The certification confirms the emissions producing engine from your vehicle will never pollute again, and we’ll tell you the estimated annual carbon savings per year because of your donation to the SHiFT program. With the certification, you’ll also get a tax receipt for deduction on your taxes (if eligible; please consult with a tax professional).

The SHiFT Difference

Full Retirement Guarantee

We are the only program to guarantee the complete retirement of your vehicle’s engine, providing proof through a carbon certification

Environmental Impact

Reduce waste and conserve natural resources through responsible recycling

Certified Recycling Process

We partner with certified facilities that ensure safe and compliant disposal

Hassle-Free Process

We handle everything, from free pick up to documentation, making an easy process

State Recycling Resources

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources provides an extensive list of recyclable materials that classify as ‘household hazardous.‘ Relating to vehicles, this includes but is not limited to anti-freeze, bio-diesel, as well as the lithium batteries found in electric vehicles.
Like SHiFT, the state of Iowa knows the importance of the proper recycling techniques when it comes to oil. The Iowa Waste Reduction Center provides a list of trusted sites where oil recycling can be done properly. The IWRC provides a contact form which can be found here for additional questions.
For additional vehicle recycling information outlining the process, refer to the Iowa Department of Transportation‘s page for end of life vehicles.

Best Auto Recyclers in Iowa

Riverbend Recycled Auto Parts serves the greater Davenport area and is also actively involved in the recycling community throughout Iowa. Committed to the most sustainable auto recycling best practices, environmental compliance has always been a very important part of Riverbend Recycled Auto Part’s mission.

Waterloo Auto Parts serves the greater Waterloo area and is also CAR certified leader in sustainable car recycling! Waterloo Auto Parts utilizes cutting edge vehicle dismantling, fluid recovery, and part inventorization to safely and cleanly maximize the recycled content on every vehicle.

Ace Auto Recyclers Inc., headquartered in Iowa City, Iowa, has been actively involved in the recycling community throughout Iowa for over 50 years!

Hybrid Battery Disposal Laws

2026 State-by-State Hybrid Battery Disposal Laws: A Guide to Legal Compliance & Environmental Protection

Ignorance of the law is no longer a defense. As of January 1, 2026, the “crush and ship” era is officially over. With New Jersey’s new producer mandates, Washington’s phased stewardship, and strict waste bans in Massachusetts and Texas, the regulatory landscape for hybrid vehicle retirement has never been more complex. Our latest guide breaks down the three layers of liability you need to know to keep your facility compliant and our planet safe.

Building on a Legacy, Riverbend Recycled Auto Parts

Riverbend Recycled Auto Parts at Jeff Smid Auto has been a cornerstone of sustainable vehicle recycling in the Quad Cities for nearly 20 years. From quality used parts to responsible end-of-life vehicle disposal, Riverbend continues its legacy of keeping valuable materials out of landfills while serving the community. And with that mission, they are a natural and trusted partner to the SHiFT Vehicle Retirement Initiative®, where vehicles are recycled to completion.

What Makes a Recycler “Green”?

“Green” doesn’t always mean sustainable. Learn what sets SHiFT’s eco-friendly auto recycling partners apart, and how we ensure your vehicle is dismantled responsibly, safely, and with measurable climate impact.