End of Life Vehicles (ELVs) are the most recycled consumer product in the world. Over 25 million tons of materials are recycled from old cars, trucks and other vehicles each year. Recycled cars are good for the economy AND the environment.
Check out this infographic created by the team at My Auto Store to see what goes into the process of recycling cars (and what comes out of it!)
ELVs are recycled in a four-step process:
Dismantling
Dismantling is the removal of fluids as well as reusable components from the vehicle.
Fluids are siphoned off into massive tanks where they are stored until they can be delivered to a recycling facility
Crushing
After being stripped of the immediately reusable components and fluids, the vehicle chassis is crushed. This is generally done to make for easier handling and storage. Eventually, most crushed cars are then brought to the shredder. Unbelievably, some of these massive crushing machines are portable, sharing duty between multiple salvage yards.
Shredding
Roughly 75 percent of the shredded material is metallic. Metals are extracted from the shredded material using magnets to separate the ferrous (containing iron) and nonferrous metals.
Material Recovery
The remaining shredded materials end up in landfills. This approximately 5 tons of Auto Shredder Residue (ASR) created per year is a number that auto recyclers are constantly working to lower.
Automobile recycling is a big business. Further, you can buy certified used auto parts from responsible vendors like My Auto Store to save money and the environment at the same time! If you find yourself wondering “where can I find recycled auto parts near me”? Search our vast inventory of engines and transmissions and you’ll be sure to find exactly what you need. Otherwise you can give our part experts a call and they will try to get you the car part you need!
Did you know that My Auto Store also buys used cars? Regardless of model, mileage or condition, My Auto Store will pay top dollar for your vehicle.
