When we think of reducing our carbon footprint, we often focus on switching to renewable energy, reducing air travel, or going electric with our cars. And rightly so – transportation is one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions globally. In Australia, transport accounts for nearly 19-21% of total greenhouse gas emissions, with passenger vehicles making up more than half of that figure.
But here’s something most people don’t consider: what happens to vehicles after they’re no longer roadworthy? As more Australians transition to electric vehicles and newer models, older vehicles are being retired at a growing pace. That leaves millions of perfectly good auto parts destined for landfill or scrap, unless someone steps in.
The Role of Recycled Auto Parts
That’s where the auto recycling industry plays a vital role. Instead of crushing and discarding cars entirely, professional dismantlers like those in the Parts Plus Australia network recover, test, clean and guarantee reusable parts from vehicles that would otherwise become waste.
These aren’t just second-hand spares. They’re Recycled Original Equipment (ROE®) – genuine parts manufactured by the original automaker, not cheap replicas or aftermarket copies. When professionally dismantled and quality-checked, ROE® parts offer the same fit and performance as new ones but with added savings for both your wallet and the planet.
At Parts Plus Australia, each part is:
- Professionally dismantled by trained specialists
- Tested for function and safety
- Cleaned and prepared for resale
- Backed by warranties up to 12 months
This commitment to quality gives everyday Australians the chance to make eco-conscious choices without sacrificing performance or safety.
Why Recycled Parts Make a Difference
Choosing recycled parts over new ones significantly reduces demand for energy-intensive manufacturing. Producing a new part requires mining raw materials, refining them, forging components and shipping them globally, each step releasing carbon into the atmosphere.
By contrast, recycled parts:
- Avoid those emissions altogether
- Extend the useful life of materials like aluminium and steel
- Help reduce reliance on extractive industries like mining
And there’s a bonus – you save money. Recycled parts often cost 20% to 80% less than new components, making them a smart choice for both the environment and your hip pocket.
The Impact in Numbers
So, just how much difference can one recycled part make? According to research from the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) in the U.S., the carbon savings are substantial:
- Reusing a single aluminium part saves approximately 19 kilograms of CO₂
- Reusing a steel part saves about 10 kilograms of CO₂
Now multiply that by thousands of parts reused every week across the Parts Plus Australia network and the numbers add up fast.
What That Means for You
When you choose to repair your car using quality-checked recycled parts, you’re doing more than saving money, you’re making an active contribution to a more sustainable future.
Every recycled part:
- Reduces the demand for new manufacturing
- Keeps valuable materials in circulation
- Decreases landfill waste and toxic runoff
- Supports local dismantlers and small businesses
And most importantly, it’s easy. You don’t need to change your lifestyle or spend thousands to reduce your carbon footprint. You just need to make smarter choices when maintaining your vehicle.
Parts Plus: Making It Easier to Go Green
With members across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, Parts Plus connects Australians to over 1 million used parts – all searchable, quality-guaranteed and available for fast nationwide delivery.
Need a door panel? A gearbox? A bumper? An engine? Simply search online or call your local Parts Plus member, and they’ll find the part that fits your make and model – the right part, the first time.
And with a 3–12 month warranty on all parts, you can drive away with confidence and peace of mind.
Small Parts, Big Impact
As we tackle the bigger environmental issues – decarbonising our grids, improving fuel standards, utilising solar to power your home, transitioning to Hybrids and EVs – it’s the smaller, immediate actions that still count. Choosing recycled auto parts may not sound revolutionary, but when done at scale, it offers one of the most accessible and effective ways for Australians to reduce their carbon footprint.
Repair responsibly. Drive sustainably. Choose recycled.
