Some Common Questions Car Owners Have About Car Disposal
Recycling an old car that no longer runs and is wrecked beyond repair can be a good idea, rather than trying to sell it and go through the hassle of explaining the repairs needed to each perspective buyer or just having it towed and crushed to be put in a landfill. Since you probably won't get more than a few dollars, if even that, for a wrecked car, you might consider recycling or disposal to save yourself that time and inconvenience. Recycling or disposal is also a better choice for those that are very eco-conscious. Note a few commonly asked questions car owners have about car disposal and recycling so you can better understand why it's the most eco-friendly way of getting rid of a car.
1. What is removed for recycling or actual disposal once the car is collected?
A car that is disposed of is stripped carefully; fluids are drained, including transmission fluid, engine oil, brake fluid, wiper fluid, and the like, so that these fluids can be recycled or disposed of safely and not just dumped into a landfill. The wheels are typically removed since the rubber of the tires can be recycled. The battery is also removed so it can be recycled, and the windows are also typically removed so the glass can be reused. Refrigerant from the air conditioner is also removed for recycling or safe disposal, and if there are any hazardous materials, such as mercury switches, these too are taken out of the car.
2. What is resold after the car is collected?
Depending on the condition of your car, many parts may be removed to be resold. This can include entire seats, a steering column, doors that are not dented or rusted, quarter panels, and parts under the car that are still in good working condition, including the engine, transmission system, and so on. These are then usually cleaned, evaluated as to their life expectancy, and then resold through a scrap yard or junkyard.
Even the metal frame of a car is also typically resold, if salvageable. The steel body or cage of the car can be broken down, crushed, or restored so it can be resold as is, or recycled. The yard may not earn much money for these older parts, but it does keep them out of landfills for as long as possible.
Because of all this recycling and stripping of a car, very little of it winds up in a landfill. If a part can be recycled for its bare materials or resold, it will be salvaged, making disposal the most eco-friendly option for getting rid of an old car. If you have an old car you need to get rid of, consider taking it to a car disposal specialist, such as Buffalo Motor Wreckers.