Benefits of Recycling Miscellaneous Car Parts and Accessories

Currently, about 75 percent of junked vehicles are shredded to recover iron and steel. After the ferrous material is magnetically separated, the remaining 25 percent is comprised of other non-ferrous metals (copper and aluminum), rubber and a mixture of plastics.

Below are some of the benefits of recycling the not-so-obvious, miscellaneous car parts. Recycling vehicles and their parts saves an estimated 85 million barrels of oil a year.

Car Parts

Brake Pads and Shoes

Today’s brake pads and shoes consist of a mixture of synthetic materials in addition to copper. Since 1998, the use of copper in automobile brake pads has increased nearly 90 percent. Most brake pads today contain about 15 to 30 percent copper.

• Recycling means less mining for virgin material, which can lead to dust and waste gases such as sulfur dioxide which have harmful effects on the environment.
• Recycling saves landfill space.
• Recycling uses far less energy than that needed for manufacturing. This energy savings leads to the conservation of valuable reserves of oil, gas or coal and reduces the amount of CO₂ released into the atmosphere.

Windshields and other Auto Glass

The glass in automobiles can pose a problem for recycling. Automobile Shredder Residue contains between 15 to 20 percent of glass originating from windshields, side windows and sunroofs, most of which is not normally recovered and ends up in landfills.

• Most windshields have two layers of glass, with a layer of Polyvinyl Butyrate – a strong-binding, tough, flexible resin that retains optical clarity.
• The addition of this polymer makes windshields a contaminant to container glass, and few companies have the technology to remove the inner plastic layer. It is best recycled in non-container applications like asphalt, landscape materials and artificial sand.
• Recycling glass reduces related air pollution by 20 percent and related water pollution by 50 percent.
• Automotive glass should be removed if in good condition, stored and reused

Oil Filters

Used oil filters are recyclable because they are made of steel – the number one recycled material in North America. This is good news, since more than 500 million oil filters are disposed of each year.

• Recycling metal saves up to 74 percent energy and 40 percent water consumption.
• Recycling oil filters also reduces air pollution by about 86 percent and water pollution by 76 percent.
• Recycling steel and oil from filters saves non-renewable resources from being landfilled.
• Recycling one ton of filters yields 1,700 pounds of steel, 30 gallons of used oil and saves 10 cubic yards of landfill space.
• Properly recycling oil filters can prevent oil from contaminating soil and water.
• A properly drained filter still can contain a half-cup of oil, enough to pollute 31,250 gallons of water.

Car Accessories

Our car would feel naked without accessories like floor mats, seat covers, sound systems and rims.  However, many of these automotive items have a shorter lifespan than the actual vehicle, and it is important to explore the options of recycling when you no longer want them.

According to Sandy Blalock, president of the Automotive Recycling Industry, “Thanks to advances in technology, everything from floor mats and instrument panels to upholstery, aluminum and steel can be recycled for use in new automobiles.”

Car accessories are made from an array of materials from steel to sheepskin. Find out what material an accessory is made of and use Earth911′s recycling locator to find a recycling location near you.

Environmental Benefits of Recycling Accessories

• Conserves resources such as oil, steel and aluminum, the base materials for many auto accessories.
• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions caused by the manufacturing of products from “virgin” resources.
• Conserves energy: Recycling one pound of steel saves enough energy to power a 60-watt light bulb for 39 hours.
• Recycling vehicles and their parts saves an estimated 85 million barrels of oil a year.