How to Recycle Hybrid Vehicles
Hybrid cars are the next generation in automobile technology. These advanced cars are made of new materials and use advanced batteries that lower the environmental impact of driving. Hybrid cars will eventually wear out or be totaled in accidents or natural disasters and need to be disposed of. Recycling hybrid cars will in many ways be similar to recycling standard cars. Recycling the batteries is a challenge, but as hybrids have become more popular and car makers try to establish eco-friendly images the options for battery recycling have increased.
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Instructions
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Recycling Body and Parts
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Salvage yards save parts and recycle materials. Look in the yellow pages or local business directories for auto salvage yards. Have your model and year available as that can give the scrap yard an idea of the value of your car in scrap metal and salvageable parts. Call multiple salvage yards and get quotes about how much they'll pay for your car. Check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure the salvage yards are reputable businesses.
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Clean the car out of all personal effects and junk. This will prevent you from losing important things. Salvage yards required junk removed so they can get an accurate measurement of the weight of the car to estimate scrap value.
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Many scrap yards offer pick up service. Take your car to the auto salvage yard. If the car is totaled let the salvage yard know so they can determine what sort of vehicle they need to send to move the car.
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Sign the title of the hybrid car over to the salvage yard dealer. The dealer will take possession of the car. Parts will be recycled for reuse in cars, while non-reusable metal, plastic and other parts will be sent to be recycled.
Recycling the Battery
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Ask the salvage yard if they recycle hybrid batteries. Few programs have been set up to recycle batteries due to the relatively small number of hybrid cars, their long battery life and the newness of hybrid technology. Programs should grow as the number hybrids grows and demand for recycling increases.
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Contact your dealer about battery recycling. Major auto manufacturers like Toyota, Honda, GM and Chrysler are developing recycling programs for their dealerships and service centers.
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Contact the battery manufacturer or a hybrid battery recycler if the dealer does not have a battery recycling program. GM lists Kinsburksy/Toxco and Inmetco as battery recyclers for their service centers. Ask the manufacturer or recycler how batteries should be shipped.
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Have a mechanic remove the battery if you have to ship it to a recycler yourself. Battery packs can weigh up to 150 pounds and should only be lifted with proper equipment.
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Ship the battery according to freight and battery recycler regulations.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Detailansicht Hybrid Motor image by 3rdTwin from Fotolia.com car wrecs image by Aleksandar Jovanovic from Fotolia.com towing truck image by Aleksandr Ugorenkov from Fotolia.com
