Recycle Your Car for the Environment

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Guide to Auto Recycling in Minnesota

What is Auto Recycling?

Auto recycling is the process used by Minnesota’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 MN 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.

Recycle Your Vehicle with SHiFT

Why Recycle My Car?

Minnesota 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 Minnesota. 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.

Impact Calculator

Best Way to Recycle Your Car in MN

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.

Minnesota’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 Minnesota

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).

Recycle Your Car Now

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

  • Similar to SHiFT, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency understands the implications that older engines, have on the environment. Older diesel engines specifically are responsible for over 95% of fine particulate pollution in comparison to newer diesel engines. To learn more about emissions, as well as how to mitigate them visit the MN Pollution Control Agency’s site.
  • The PCA provides a list of trusted, and reputable waste tire transport and recycling sites. In order to ensure the proper disposal of waste tires and to join SHiFT and the MN PCA in protecting the environment you can view the sheet here. 
  • The Minnesota Department of Transportation provides a complete list of facts and references when it comes to used oil management. SHiFT and the MN DOT understand the importance of finding a trusted and regulated disposal site and work constantly to ensure the environment is protected from used oil. 

Best Auto Recyclers in Minnesota

Chuck’s Auto Salvage, headquartered in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, has been a staple in the recycling community throughout Minnesota for years!


A leader in environmental car recycling, Chuck’s Auto Salvage 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 Chuck’s Auto Salvage’s mission.

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