Cars, as you may know, contain numerous precious materials that can be easily recycled once their useful lives have ended. Auto parts that can be recycled include glass, aluminium, and rubber, which can be utilised to make new automobiles, flooring tiles, and shoes. In reality, over 25% of the materials in every new car come from recycled vehicles.
Roughly 12 million automobiles are taken to auto recycling yards, also called wreck yards or salvage yards, annually. As a result, the vehicle recycling industry has risen to become the most lucrative in the global recycling sector.
Read more our detailed guide to find out how you can help save the planet simply by recycling your old car.
What Parts Of A Car Can Be Recycled For Money?
Many parts of a car can be recycled for money, including:
1. Catalytic Converters
Catalytic converters are a device found in the exhaust system of most modern vehicles that are designed to reduce the amount of harmful pollutants released into the environment. They contain precious metals like platinum, palladium, and rhodium, which are used as catalysts to convert harmful exhaust emissions into less harmful ones.
Because these precious metals are in high demand for various industrial applications, catalytic converters have become a target for theft in recent years. Thieves steal catalytic converters from cars and sell them to scrap yards or other buyers who will extract the precious metals and sell them for a high price.
If you’re looking to recycle your old catalytic converter for money, you can bring it to a scrap yard or metal recycling centre that accepts them. The value of a catalytic converter will depend on the current market prices for the precious metals it contains, as well as the condition of the converter itself. Some scrap yards may require you to provide proof of ownership of the vehicle the converter came from.
2. Batteries
Car batteries are typically made of lead acid and contain lead, lead oxide, sulfuric acid, and plastic. These materials can be recycled and sold, making car batteries one of the most commonly recycled products.
Recycling car batteries is important because they can be hazardous to the environment if not disposed of properly. The lead and other materials in car batteries can leach into the soil and water, contaminating the environment.
If you have an old car battery that you need to recycle, you can bring it to a recycling centre that accepts them. Many auto parts stores and service centres will also accept old car batteries for recycling. Some recycling centres may pay you for your old car battery, while others may charge a fee to accept it.
When recycling a car battery, it’s important to handle it with care to avoid injury or damage. Car batteries can be heavy and contain harmful materials, so it’s best to wear gloves and safety glasses when handling them.
3. Tires
Tires can also be recycled and repurposed for other uses, making them another valuable material from a car that can be sold for money. Recycling tires not only helps to reduce waste and conserve resources, but it can also reduce the environmental impact of tire disposal.
Used tires can be recycled into a variety of products, such as rubberized asphalt, playground surfaces, and athletic fields. They can also be used as fuel for industrial processes, such as cement production.
If you have used tires that you need to recycle, you can bring them to a tire recycling centre. Some recycling centres may pay you for your used tires, while others may charge a fee to accept them.
It’s important to note that not all recycling centres accept tires, so it’s important to check with your local recycling facilities to see if they accept them and what their policies are. It’s also important to make sure that your tires are properly prepared for recycling by removing any rims or other non-rubber materials.
4. Aluminum wheels
Aluminium wheels are another valuable material that can be recycled for money. Aluminum is a valuable material that can be reused and repurposed many times, making it a valuable resource to recycle.
If you have old aluminium wheels that you need to recycle, you can bring them to a metal recycling centre or scrap yard that accepts them. The value of aluminium wheels will depend on the current market prices for aluminium, as well as the condition of the wheels themselves.
To prepare your aluminium wheels for recycling, you should remove any non-aluminium components, such as plastic hubcaps or tire valves. This will help ensure that the wheels can be properly recycled and that you get the best value for your materials.
Recycling aluminium wheels not only helps to reduce waste and conserve resources, but it also helps to reduce the environmental impact of aluminium mining and production.
5. Radiators
Radiators from cars can also be recycled for money. They contain copper and brass, which are valuable metals that can be extracted and reused in other products.
To recycle your old car radiator, you can bring it to a scrap yard or metal recycling centre that accepts radiators. The value of a radiator will depend on the current market prices for copper and brass, as well as the condition of the radiator itself.
It’s important to note that some radiators may contain hazardous materials, such as coolant, which should be drained and properly disposed of before recycling. It’s also important to handle radiators with care, as they can be heavy and contain sharp edges that can cause injury.
Recycling radiators not only helps to conserve valuable resources and reduce waste, but it also helps to reduce the environmental impact of mining and the production of new metals.
6. Scrap Metal
Any metal parts from a car that are not reusable can be sold as scrap metal. Scrap metal includes any metal that can be recycled and repurposed into new products, such as steel, aluminium, copper, and brass.
If you have scrap metal from a car that you need to recycle, you can bring it to a scrap yard or metal recycling centre that accepts scrap metal. The value of scrap metal will depend on the current market prices for the type of metal, as well as the quantity and condition of the scrap.
It’s important to note that some scrap metal may contain hazardous materials, such as oil or coolant, which should be drained and properly disposed of before recycling. It’s also important to handle scrap metal with care, as it can be heavy and contain sharp edges that can cause injury.
Recycling scrap metal not only helps to reduce waste and conserve resources, but it also helps to reduce the environmental impact of mining and the production of new metals. By recycling scrap metal, you can help to reduce the amount of energy and resources needed to produce new metals from raw materials.
7. Glass
Car windows and windshields are typically made of tempered or laminated glass. While glass cannot be recycled for money in the same way that metals can, it can still be recycled and reused.
When car windows or windshields are recycled, they are typically crushed into small pieces called cullet. The cullet can then be used to make new glass products, such as bottles and jars.
To recycle car windows and windshields, you can bring them to a glass recycling centre or a specialized auto glass recycling facility. These facilities will properly process the glass and ensure that it is recycled in an environmentally responsible manner.
While recycling glass may not earn you money directly, it helps to conserve resources and reduce waste.
8. Upholstery
The upholstery in a car includes the seats, carpets, and other fabric or leather components. While it may not be possible to recycle upholstery in the same way that metals and glass can be recycled, there are still options for disposing of it responsibly.
One option is to donate the upholstery to a charitable organization, such as a thrift store or shelter, where it can be reused or repurposed. Another option is to dispose of it in an environmentally responsible manner, such as by bringing it to a textile recycling centre.
Some textile recycling centres will accept upholstery and other fabrics, which can be recycled into new products such as insulation or carpet padding. While you may not receive money for recycling upholstery, it is still important to recycle and dispose of it responsibly to reduce waste and conserve resources.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many parts of a car that can be recycled for money, including catalytic converters, batteries, aluminium wheels, radiators, and scrap metal. Recycling these materials not only helps to reduce waste and conserve resources, but it can also provide a source of income for individuals and businesses.
In addition to these materials, glass and upholstery can also be recycled or donated to reduce waste and minimize the environmental impact of car production and disposal.
It’s important to remember that while recycling can be a valuable way to dispose of old car parts, it’s also important to handle hazardous materials, such as coolant or oil, with care and dispose of them properly. By recycling responsibly, we can help to reduce the environmental impact of car production and disposal and promote a more sustainable future.