Guide to Auto Recycling in New Jersey

What is Auto Recycling?

Auto recycling is the process used by New Jersey’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 NJ 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.

Easy & Impactful

“Recycling with SHiFT was something that we could do that was quick, it was easy, it was impactful. And just the right thing to do for us.”

– Rebecca & Rupert

Why Recycle My Car?

Owners understandably want to get the most value when scrapping a car. While reselling or trading in your older car can help you recoup some money, donating it for recycling offers unique perks — like a potential $500 tax deduction — and some programs will accept a vehicle in any condition. Even more importantly, recycling your car can be one of the most environmentally sustainable choices you can make.

Thanks to decades of innovation, modern vehicles are now 85-90% recyclable when donated to the right service. The best processes maximize the reuse of parts and materials, eliminating carbon emissions from producing new parts or from landfill dumping.

Fully retiring older and less efficient gas engines through recycling has even greater benefits. Older gas engines on average produce 5-10 tons of CO2 per year! By recycling your car with a leading recycling program in New Jersey, you’re not just reducing waste — you’re eliminating a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. 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, can have a significant positive impact on the environment.

Best Way to Recycle Your Car in NJ

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.

New Jersey’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 New Jersey

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

In order to promote a healthier environment in the state of New Jersey, the state Department of Environmental Protection provides a list of incentives drivers have access to when driving a clean vehicle. Zero emission vehicles are currently exempt from both sales and use tax. While this is subject to change at the discretion of the state, it is a large incentive that is being offered for driving clean.
The NJ Division of Sustainable Waste Management has worked hard to implement the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Battery Management Act. This act pertains to the disposal of EV batteries, and other batteries intended to be used for propulsion. As of 2027, New Jersey will no longer allow EV batteries to be disposed of at local landfills. For more information, visit the Division of Sustainable Waste Management page.
Still seeking additional information regarding what can be recycled and where to do so? Earth911 provides numerous resources as well as an interactive map where you can input your NJ zip code and find your most local recycling site.

EV Battery Recycling: A Growing Challenge for Vehicle Retirement

As electric vehicles become more common, the automotive recycling industry is facing new challenges. NPR explores the economics and risks of EV battery recycling, with SHiFT co-founder Joe Hearn offering insight into how these batteries are already affecting recyclers and the broader vehicle retirement process.

Auto Recycling in New Jersey

New Jersey Auto Recycling Laws Explained for Consumers

Letting go of a vehicle can be tough, especially if it has reliably carried you down the Turnpike or down the shore for years. But when a car finally reaches the end of the road in New Jersey, properly retiring it is a major responsibility.

The Importance of Recycling End-of-Life School Buses

As school districts modernize their fleets, responsibly recycling end-of-life school buses is essential for protecting students, reducing emissions, and supporting a more sustainable future. Learn why proper vehicle retirement matters and how SHiFT is helping drive positive environmental impact.