Guide to Auto Recycling in Illinois

What is Auto Recycling?

Auto recycling is the process used by Illinois’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 IL 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?

Illinois 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 Illinois. 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 IL

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.

Illinois’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 Illinois

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

Like SHiFT, the Illinois State EPA is determined to improve the state’s environment through proper recycling techniques. For tire-related recycling tips and tricks, click here. The used tire recycling initiative has certain specifics that should be reviewed prior to beginning the process.
A commonly overlooked aspect of the recycling process is used oil. Many fail to acknowledge that if just one gallon of used oil is incorrectly released, over a million gallons of fresh water can be deemed undrinkable. The state EPA provides a list of long-term oil collection sites such as Chicago, Rockford, and Lake County.
For additional information regarding statewide legislation on the vehicle recycling process, refer to the Illinois Recycling Association to remain informed before the process is initiated.

Best Auto Recyclers in Illinois

Speedway Auto Parts LTD, headquartered in Joliet, Illinois, is a family owned business that has been involved in the recycling community throughout Illinois for over 55 years!

A leader in environmental car recycling, Speedway Auto Parts LTD is an ARA Certified Auto Recycler (CAR), which means they uphold the highest standards and protocols of auto recycling. Environmental compliance has always been a very important part of Speedway Auto Parts LTD’s mission.

Auto Recycling: The Original Recycling Industry

Before household recycling programs existed, there was auto recycling. For more than a century, automotive recyclers have been reusing, repurposing, and responsibly processing end-of-life vehicles. This article explores the roots of the industry—from early scrap yards to today’s high-tech recycling facilities—and highlights how automotive recyclers became pioneers of sustainability, efficiency, and circular design. Learn why auto recycling remains one of the most impactful environmental solutions and how programs like SHiFT® ensure every vehicle is recycled to completion.

Recycle Your Car for the Environment

Guide to Auto Recycling in Illinois

What is Auto Recycling?

Why Recycle My Car?

Best Way to Recycle Your Car in IL