The ongoing discourse surrounding the well-being of our planet holds sway in today’s news cycle. Matters pertaining to climate and the environment are not mere headlines; they serve as a resounding call to mobilise. As proud Australians, we hold our breathtaking landscapes and diverse ecosystems in high regard. Thus, it is only fitting that we play our role in safeguarding it. One aspect that often slips under the radar is recycling, and would you believe it? Our vehicles are central to this effort!
You might have heard that in compliance with Australian law, it’s mandatory to submit a ‘Notice of Disposal’ (NOD) when selling or disposing of a registered vehicle. However, taking a green initiative in the industry definitely requires additional essential steps. Here are a few facts you should know about:
- Each year, 27 million cars are retired, with over 800,000 of them in Australia alone.
- In Australia, 30% of vehicles are less than five years old, highlighting the urgency for sustainable approaches to aging cars.
- A staggering 2.2 billion kilograms of non-biodegradable used car mats/carpets end up in landfills every year, emphasising the critical role of recycling in minimising environmental harm.
- Given that cars in Australia typically last for 10.1 years on average, a substantial shift is imperative to avoid unnecessary disposals and resource depletion.
At Parts Plus, we lead the charge in responsible vehicle recycling, placing sustainability at the core of our operations. But how does this translate for you? In this comprehensive guide, we delve into recyclable car components, highlighting the top ten elements that can be repurposed to not only help save the environment but also breathe new life into our cherished vehicles.
Breaking Down Car Recycling
Each car, right down to its smallest screws, comprises approximately 30,000 individual parts. The process of recycling a car is far more intricate than dealing with an empty tin can! It demands time, expertise, and a deep understanding to efficiently recycle, repurpose and salvage these components.
As cars are taken apart, they yield an array of reusable elements that can be highly valuable to others in need of spare parts for their own vehicles. These encompass headlights, seats, components of the exhaust system, mirrors, alloy wheels, engines, transmissions and more. Remarkably, even if a car is deemed unusable due to a major issue, many of its parts such as lights, seats, and mirrors might still be in perfect working order, presenting excellent opportunities for reuse.
Car Components: Recycling Explained
Car recycling involves a thorough process to reclaim usable parts and responsibly dispose of materials. Here’s a simple breakdown of 10 recyclable car components:
- Engine Oil:
Don’t discard old engine oil; it only requires a thorough clean, not a replacement. Its age doesn’t render it unfit for your car; it simply accumulates dirt, not inefficiency. When appropriately cleansed at designated centres, it safeguards our environment from harm.
- Windows and Windscreen:
Recycling windscreens and windows can be tricky due to the plastic layers. However, advancements mean we can now extract the glass. This recycled glass transforms into items we use daily, like bottles and insulation, reducing waste.
- Scrap Metal:
Cars contain a lot of metal, forming a significant part of their mass. Components like rims and handles can be recycled. Scrap metal companies melt these down, giving them a new life. Recycling metal parts reduces landfill and promotes sustainability.
- Car Batteries:
Car batteries, vital yet hazardous, need proper disposal. Their toxic chemicals harm the environment if not managed correctly. Disposing them with household waste is illegal. Through a meticulous process, these ‘wet cell batteries’ are dissected into lead, silver, plastic and acid components. Valuables are reused, while lead is melted down and acid neutralised, ensuring eco-friendly recycling.
- Car Tyres:
Used tyres pose pollution risks when burned, releasing harmful pollutants and oily runoff. Responsible dealers prioritise recycling. Repurposed tyres become rubberised asphalt for roads and crumb chippings for various surfaces. Recycling tyres prevent pollution, ensuring a cleaner and safer environment.
- Plastic Components:
Cars today use ample plastic in various parts like fuel tanks, bumpers and interior features. Shockingly, 8 million metric tonnes of plastic flood our oceans yearly, posing a severe challenge. Yet, your old car’s plastic can have a new life. Through mechanical chopping and washing, plastics are recycled. Alternatively, chemical recycling breaks them into basic elements, ensuring their reuse in vital applications.
- Oil Filters:
Though unsightly, used oil filters can be valuable resources. Filled with old engine oil and sludge, they can be recycled. The dirty oil refines into lubricants or fuel, while steel components are reprocessed into items like cans, appliances and even new cars. Recycling filters contributes significantly to reducing waste and environmental impact.
- Car Engines and Transmissions:
Even at the end of their road, car engines have a future. Scrap engines yield raw materials, melted down to create new products. Aluminium, especially, remains robust during recycling. Alternatively, engines in better condition can be tested, refurbished or remanufactured. They find new life as whole units or provide replacement parts, minimising waste and maximising utility. Recycling engines becomes a sustainable step toward a cleaner planet.
- Car Mats and Carpets:
Don’t toss those old car mats – they are easily recyclable! If they’re still in good shape, pass them on to another driver or sell them online. Even if they seem worn out, they have value. Gardeners use them to insulate compost heaps or block weeds, giving them a new purpose and reducing waste.
- Starters & Alternators:
Replacing starter motors or alternators can be costly, but here’s the good news: they are highly recyclable! Even if they are completely broken, recycling specialists can dismantle them. The metals are melted down and repurposed into new and useful products, ensuring every part of your vehicle contributes to a sustainable cycle. Recycling these components saves money and the environment simultaneously.
The Significance of Recycling Car Parts
Car parts recycling plays a pivotal role in safeguarding our planet, regardless of whether you own a vehicle or not. It transcends mere disposal of aging automobiles; it’s a vital practice for conserving precious energy and resources. Recycling parts from automobiles not only conserves energy but also proves more economically efficient compared to producing it from scratch.
Through the recycling of car parts, we effectively divert countless tons of scrap metal and materials away from landfills, lessening their environmental burden. Moreover, responsible recycling furnishes the raw materials necessary for crafting new products, reducing the imperative to start from square one.
At Parts Plus, we don’t just see scrap; we see potential. We are reshaping the narrative of old vehicles, giving them a second life through the recycling process. Our commitment to the environment goes beyond recycling; we actively contribute to reducing the automotive industry’s ecological footprint. But our mission doesn’t stop there. We recognise the importance of trust in the selection of recycled components. Our primary focus centres on procuring high-quality salvage materials and offering exclusively those parts that meet our rigorous testing and quality benchmarks. This assurance ensures that all the components we provide come with a minimum 6-month warranty and a comprehensive No Fuss National Warranty, granting our customers invaluable peace of mind.
To know more, get in touch with experts.
