Maya Ellison
Plastic car parts are just one of the many components that need to be replaced as a car ages. While some car parts can be recycled or sold, others must be sent to a hazardous waste disposal facility. This guide will explore the various disposal methods for different car parts, including plastic components, to ensure that waste is minimized and the environment is conserved. With proper disposal, we can play our part in keeping the planet habitable for future generations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Disposal of plastic car parts | Local salvage yard, recycling center, or hazardous waste disposal facility |
| Recycling | Yes, but not in the recycling bin with other household waste |
| Reuse | Yes, some parts can be reused, e.g. car batteries can be rebuilt and reused |
| Selling | Yes, some parts can be sold to auto parts stores, metal scrap dealers, or recycling plants |
| Pick-up services | Yes, some municipalities offer pick-up services for old car parts, and some local salvage yards may also pick up |
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What You'll Learn
Recycling car parts
When it comes to disposing of car parts, you have several options. First, separate the car parts and then decide which of the following options are available to you:
- Return used car parts to automobile stores, some of which may have a "'buy-back'" policy.
- Send prohibited items to a hazardous waste disposal facility.
- Take scrap metal or large metallic items to a local salvage yard.
- Take old car batteries to an auto parts store as they can be rebuilt and reused.
- Take old tires to a tire shop or recycling plant.
- Bring oil and oil filters to a nearby collection center.
- Take other automotive fluids, such as transmission fluid and brake fluid, to auto parts stores or, if they are not accepted, to a hazardous waste disposal facility.
- Bring all metal car parts to a salvage yard or contact metal scrap dealers.
- Sell your old car to a metal scrap dealer or a vendor or organization that buys junk/old cars for recycling.
- Dispose of headlights and bulbs in the regular trash, but check your local municipal laws first.
In some municipalities, you may be able to have your old car parts picked up from your home, as some cities have designated collection days for unordinary or oversized items. Your local salvage yard may also be willing to pick up old car parts.
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Disposing of hazardous waste
Car parts, especially plastic ones, can be hazardous and should not be tossed into the garbage or weekly trash pickup. Improper disposal of hazardous waste can pollute the environment and pose a threat to human health.
To dispose of plastic car parts, you can separate the different components and identify which can be recycled or sold. Metal parts, for example, can be brought to a local salvage yard or scrap dealer, while some car batteries can be returned to auto parts stores. Old tires can be reused at home or brought to a tire shop or recycling plant. Automotive fluids, such as oil, oil filters, transmission fluid, and brake fluid, are highly toxic and must be brought to a nearby collection center or hazardous waste disposal facility.
For household hazardous waste, it is important to follow any instructions for use, storage, and disposal provided on product labels to prevent accidents and reduce risks. Some communities have collection programs for household hazardous waste, and you can search for these online or contact your local environmental, health, or solid waste agency for more information. If your community does not have a permanent collection site, you might be able to drop off certain products at local businesses for recycling or proper disposal, such as local garages that may accept used motor oil for recycling.
There are also methods for disposing of liquid household hazardous waste, such as solidification and evaporation. For solidification, double-line a garbage can with plastic garbage bags and add cat litter or oil dry, then add the liquid waste. Once the material has solidified, tie up the bag and place it in with your regular trash. Evaporation works best for thin, flammable liquids, where you pour a small amount of the liquid into a disposable metal tray and allow it to evaporate.
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Selling scrap metal
When it comes to disposing of plastic car parts, you should first separate the car parts and then consider which disposal options are available to you. Some car parts can be recycled at a salvage yard or sent to a hazardous waste disposal facility. You can also sell scrap metal parts to make some extra cash.
Before heading to the scrapyard, do your research. Different yards have different specialities and buy different materials. If you know the composition of the scrap metal you're selling, you can call around to find the best price. Buy rates can vary significantly between yards.
Once you arrive at the scrapyard, pull your vehicle onto the marked inbound scale. When the attendant signals you, that means they have recorded your weight. After unloading your scrap metal, you will pull forward onto the scale again to get your outbound weight. The difference between the two weights will determine how much you get paid.
Some scrap metals, like copper, are more valuable than others. Copper is valued at $3 to $6 per pound, while aluminum is less valuable, selling for around $1.20 per pound. Brass is also relatively valuable, selling for between $1 and $3 per pound. Steel is a common metal and is not as valuable as other metals, with scrap stainless steel ranging from 20 to 50 cents per pound.
You can find scrap metal in various places, such as household appliances, plumbing, electrical wires, and old computers.
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Reusing plastic parts
Plastic car parts can be reused, recycled, or upcycled, reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing automotive parts. The automotive industry is increasingly investing in the reuse of recycled plastics, and new technologies are enabling the recovery of high-quality raw materials from post-consumer plastics for reuse in car part production.
Recycling plastic car parts reduces the amount of waste going to landfills, curbs environmental pollution, and lowers the carbon footprint of the automotive industry. Recycling also reduces the need for natural resources, as reusing and reprocessing secondary raw materials means that fewer natural resources are required in the manufacturing process.
Recycling plastic car parts can also be a source of innovation in the automotive sector. For example, the Renault project aims to develop a closed-loop economy by recovering polypropylene from bumpers and wheel arch coverings to produce new plastic car parts. In 2015, French ELV processing centres recycled 680 tonnes of polypropylene, equivalent to the bumpers and wheel arches of 42,000 vehicles.
Some car manufacturers are also incorporating recycled plastics into their production processes. For instance, Ford announced in 2018 that each of its vehicles contains 250 bottles of recycled plastic, representing the reuse of 1.2 billion bottles per year. By 2023, Ford declared that more than 85% of its vehicle parts and materials are recycled, with a focus on environmentally friendly practices. Volvo has also committed to ensuring that at least 25% of the plastics used in its cars are recycled by 2025.
Individuals can also play a role in reusing and recycling plastic car parts. Old car parts, such as batteries, coolants, headlights, and metal casings, can be taken to recycling centres, salvage yards, or auto parts stores for reuse or recycling. Automotive fluids, such as oil, oil filters, transmission fluid, and brake fluid, must be disposed of at collection centres or hazardous waste disposal facilities, as they are highly toxic. Metal car parts can be recycled at salvage yards or sold to metal scrap dealers.
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Local disposal services
Recycling Centres
Many recycling centres accept old car parts, and you can usually find one by searching online. Plastic car parts can often be recycled, so this is a great option to reduce waste and help the environment. Some recycling centres may have restrictions on what they can accept, so be sure to contact them beforehand to ensure they can take plastic car parts.
Auto Shops
Local auto shops may also accept old car parts for disposal. Some shops have a "'buy-back' policy for core parts, so you might even make some money back. This is especially true if you bought the original car or parts from the same shop. Auto shops are a great option for disposing of a variety of car parts, including plastic components.
Salvage Yards
Salvage yards, or scrapyards, are another option for disposing of plastic car parts. Most scrapyards will take auto parts and know how to process them responsibly. You can usually find a local scrapyard by searching online or asking around. They may also offer pick-up services for your convenience.
Junk Removal Companies
Professional junk removal companies, such as LoadUp or Action Junk Hauling, can help you dispose of plastic car parts responsibly. These companies often offer convenient booking services and upfront pricing. They may also recycle or donate old car parts whenever possible, reducing waste and helping the environment.
Hazardous Waste Disposal Facilities
If you have any plastic car parts that contain hazardous materials, it is important to dispose of them properly. Hazardous waste disposal facilities can handle these items safely and securely. This includes items such as automotive fluids, batteries, and certain metals.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic car parts can be recycled, but they cannot be thrown into the recycling bin. You must bring them to a recycling center or salvage yard. Some cities have designated collection days for unordinary or oversized items, so you may be able to have your old car parts picked up from your home.
You could post your plastic car parts for free on Facebook Marketplace as scrap. You could also sell them to a vendor or organization that buys junk/old cars for recycling.
Automotive fluids, such as oil, oil filters, coolant, transmission fluid, and brake fluid, can be brought to a nearby collection center or auto parts store. Car batteries can be brought to an auto parts store to be rebuilt and reused. Metal car parts can be brought to a salvage yard or sold to a metal scrap dealer.
