Automotive Recycling Facts
Cars are a primary source of steel that can be reused in various industries. Efforts to recycle old vehicles has become increasingly important as environmental concerns rise and natural resources grow scarcer.
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Process
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Cars are first taken apart to remove reusable parts, such as tires and the car battery. What is left is sent to junk yards, where they are put through a shredding machine. Magnets separate the steel and iron from the "fluff" material, which is the glass, cloth and other materials. The steel and iron is sent to mills or "end markets," where it can be used again.
The Numbers
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The most recycled item from consumers is the car. Yearly, more than 14 million tons of recycled steel is derived from older vehicles. The typical car has about 25 percent of its body made from recycled steel.
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Steel Recycling Institute
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This organization's primary job is education. It teaches agencies within the government and business world why it is important to recycle steel. It also supports continued efforts to educate consumers on recycling.
Automotive Recyclers Association
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This nonprofit, international organization educates the public about automotive recycling. It also gives support to improving techniques for recycling vehicles and the handling of waste from vehicles, such as fluids from the engine.
Benefits
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Recycling old cars can be a benefit not only to the consumer but to the environment. When 1 ton of steel is recycled, about 1,400 pounds of coal and iron ore is saved. This keeps natural resources from being over used.
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References
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- Photo Credit car wrecs image by Aleksandar Jovanovic from Fotolia.com
