U-Turns For Old Cars: Automotive Recycling in the U.S.

There are millions upon millions of car owners in the world, and millions more are added every year. Once taken out of the showroom, a car in the U.S. and other developing countries depreciates rapidly, so reselling is not a profitable endeavor. The amount of used vehicles that are not resold equates to millions of tons of waste material.

The recycling efforts of the automotive industry are important to protecting the environment. Almost all industries have taken steps to promote recycling among their products, and the U.S. automotive industry is one of them. Every year, millions of dollars are saved through recycling efforts with cars alone, and as a result, our environment takes a breather from landfills congested with automotive refuse.

The United States Council for Automotive Research (USCAR) reports that more than 95% percent of all cars in the U.S. today undergo recycling, without any additional cost or taxes to consumers. There seems to be no end to the rise of car ownership, and thus it is important to increase the number of end-of-life cars being recycled.

At least 75 to 80% of waste automotive materials are recycled (mainly its metal components), with the remainder (known as auto shredder residue (ASR) or "fluff") going to landfills. Each year, millions of tons of ASR are disposed of in landfills. The recycling saves approximately 85 million barrels of oil that would have been used in making new or replacement car parts.

Many car parts can be recycled, from small parts like door handles, seats, seat covers and windows, to the more expensive components like bumpers, headlights, alarms and engines. Before a car is crushed and dumped, the parts that are still usable will be removed. Repairs, conversion, or recalibration are done to recycle defective parts. Bumpers and model-specific parts can be resold to Americans with similar car models that need replacements, especially after an accident. In some cases, a car is recycled to become a new car, whole and intact.

Unfortunately, many auto recyclers unconsciously harm the environment, including unlicensed, illegal auto recycling facilities that do not manage their recycling businesses safely and properly. Improper disposal or storage of materials and parts is the main culprit. Toxic substances like metals, oils, and coolants can end up on the ground and in our waterways, endangering aquatic life and public health. Oil spilling into sewers and water bodies can cause substantial water contamination and can affect soil fertility as well. Mercury, a very hazardous substance, is released into the environment when cars are crushed for scrap metal recycling.

Car batteries also present problems, but their main components like lead and sulfuric acid are now being recycled. A process known as retreading converts used tires into a new tire or other rubber products. Not all tires can be retreaded, but it helps minimize the number of disposed tires.

A good solution to the inadvertent harm of auto recycling is the education of auto recyclers about environmentally sound management techniques for fluid and solid waste materials generated from the recycling and disposal of vehicles. Illegal vehicle dismantling and rebuilding operations should be monitored and prohibited. Increasing consumer awareness about the industry's value as a low cost and eco-friendly alternative is also paramount.

The race to produce "green cars" is underway, with revolutionary engines created to use earth-friendly fuel like Ethanol. Plastic cars are also gaining popularity in the U.S., where many parts are made of recyclable plastics. Not only are these parts cheap to replace, but also environment-friendly.

According to Auto Alliance, cars are the most recycled consumer product worldwide. Auto recycling is a profitable, billion dollar industry that provides jobs to millions; more importantly, it conserves the Earth.