Recycling junk cars has a huge impact on our environment, economy, and more; an impact that is totally positive. There are many benefits of recycling junk cars, most of which involve steel. Read on to learn why recycling steel from junk cars is important and how you can personally contribute to this wonderful initiative.
Most vehicles are primarily steel
Most vehicles are made from steel because it is a very durable, strong, and reliable metal. Not only can it protect drivers and passengers, but it can also be recycled and reused over and over again. In fact, most steel is made from existing steel materials, which does wonders for preserving our natural resources, conserving energy, and reducing harmful emissions produced by metal refining factories. According to the Steel Recycling Institute (SRI), “recycling a single ton conserves 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,400 pounds of coal, and 120 pounds of limestone.”
Vehicles, on average, are 60% steel and iron. The shell is only 25% of the total amount of steel in a car or truck, on average. This includes the side panels, trunk, hood, and doors. Additionally, internal parts and metal components are recycled for their steel, such as auto parts, gaskets, circuit boards, and more.
steel recycling
Motor vehicles are among the most frequently recycled consumer products in the country. Regardless of who owns them or what happened to them, virtually all cars end up in the recycling process. According to the Steel Recycling Institute (SRI), more than 14 million tons of steel from automobiles are recycled each year. Actually, this can be argued as a 100% recycling rate among vehicles that are no longer fit for the road.
Junk Car Salvage Process
The process of recycling junk cars, while not overly complicated, requires a fleet of highly specialized equipment and technology. Most metal reprocessing centers will start by draining the vehicle of any remaining liquid to stay within environmentally responsible recycling practices. These fluids include transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, windshield washer fluid, radiator fluid, battery fluid, and engine oil. They will then begin stripping the vehicle of all of its reusable parts, such as wheels, tires, headlights, doors, windows, fenders, bumpers, trunk lids, stereos, and any operational or serviceable auto parts.
After a vehicle is done with the draining and dismantling process, all that remains is scattered hulls. This is usually shredded in an industrial metal shredder, which is a huge, innovative machine that can shred large hulls down to fist-sized pieces in less than 45 seconds. These parts are a compilation of steel, non-steel metals and fluff (single-use rubber, plastic, glass, etc.). A large magnetic sorter is used to separate the steel and iron pieces from the rest of the shredded material, which is then shipped across the country to various metal buyers, reprocessors, and steel mills.