15 Car Parts That Can Surprisingly Be Recycled & Reused

15 Car Parts That Can Surprisingly Be Recycled & Reused

Reducing Your Footprint While Giving Your Vehicle More Life

Recycling is a great way to reduce your footprint while also giving your used car some more life. If your vehicle has no life left in it, recycling the parts can also give someone else’s vehicle more time to serve them while also lessening the items that so often end up in a landfill. Where do you begin when it comes to recycling your car parts? What items CAN be recycled, and where do you go to do so? Read more below to learn more about 15 car parts that surprisingly can be recycled and reused to give your or someone else’s vehicle some more road time.

Engines

It’s likely that you “know” that engines can be recycled, but how does it actually work? If something happens to your engine and you need to replace it, it’s likely that the old one can still be salvaged. Many mechanics and gear fanatics have finished some great projects on used engines. Even if your engine cannot be salvages, it can still be taken apart for other engine parts. Contact us today to see if we can help, or go to your local parts dealer to see if they can point you in the direction of someone who can talk to you more about it!

Batteries

Car batteries actually are one of the car parts that have a high percentage of recycling which is great, but there is always improvement to be made. Most states have laws that prevent people from discarding their batteries improperly – so be sure to take a look at what your state laws are when it comes to discarding your used batteries. Car batteries are filled with materials that are extremely toxic to the environment if not taken care of properly – and most old, used car batteries will be recycled to become new batteries to keep the next vehicle going.

Tires

You might be surprised to find out that tires CAN be recycled. Tires are not extremely biodegradable and so it’s important that they are recycled when all possible. If your tires are passed the point of being reused for another vehicle, don’t worry, worn down tires many times are shredded up to be used in various ways such as playground surfaces, asphalt, and even gasoline!

Transmissions

Transmissions, similar to engines can be taken apart, refurbished, and reused. It’s even been said that refurbished and rebuilt transmissions are more reliable and hold more life in them than the original.

Gas Tanks

Did you know that your gas tank can be recycled? First the gas of course that is in it needs to be removed (which can also be reused/recycled) but your gas tank can either be taken and used for another vehicle or it can also be scrapped out for cash!

Oil & Oil Filters

Both your engine oil and your oil filters can be recycled – and it makes a big difference too! If you get your oil changed by a local oil change facility, you can be sure that your filters and used oil are being disposed of properly. If you do oil changes yourself at home, locate a local auto parts store and inquire if they will recycle your old oil.

Glass

Countless amounts of glass are thrown into landfills every year, glass is non-biodegradable and takes an enormous amount of time to degrade, which is why it’s so important to recycle your windshield, or other glass features in your car. Car glass can be used for making bottles, floor tiles, jewelry, and other glass products!

recycled car parts

Scrap Metal

Scrap metal makes up the majority of your vehicle, and surprisingly, it’s even worth some money! Scrap metal is often valued directly based on the weight of the material. Take your scrap metal to a local scrap yard to earn some cash all while recycling your unwanted items.

Starters & Alternators

Starters and alternators both have valuable materials hidden in them. When bringing your starter and alternator to a recycling service, or salvage/junk yard you can expect to earn some cash for the piece of your car. Starters and alternators can also be rebuilt to give your vehicle more life to keep going.

Fluids - Gas, Coolant, Windshield Washer Fluid

Your vehicle has tons of fluids that can be taken out, cleaned, reused, or recycled. Be sure to do your research about local places that will recycle your fluids, or if you are confident enough, you can do it yourself!

Water Pumps

Water pumps are another one of the many car parts that can be reused and recycled! Water pumps are not only super important to the function of your vehicle but they also are known to last long! Don’t rule out the value of your vehicles water pump when you are ready to get rid of your car.

Vehicle Plastics

All your vehicle plastics can be recycled to be used for new products. Car plastics include dashboards, bumpers and other items on your car that can be separated and reused in the future. You never know how your car might be reused in the future!

Belts & Hoses

Belts and hoses can also be reused if they are in good enough condition! They are an important part in your vehicle and can easily be transferred to another vehicle when one vehicle looses it’s life.

Catalytic Converters

A catalytic converter is a part of your vehicles exhaust system that transforms your contaminants from your vehicles exhaust to be less harmful to the environment. Not many people know that your catalytic converter can be recycled – even for cash. Call around to your vehicles car dealership, your local auto or exhaust shop to see if they will recycle your converter or point you in the direction you need to go!

Vehicle Carpets & Mats

Carpet is almost never biodegradable and there are great ways to dispose of carpet. There is now a group called the “Carpet America Recovery Effort” or CARE. With the carpet America recovery effort you can find reclamation partners close to you to drop off your old and used carpet. With just a little bit of work on your part you can make a big difference for your community.

We hope that you learned something new about all the items in your vehicles that still hold value as well as how you can use those items to lessen your footprint and take care of the earth a little bit better. If you have questions about recycling and would like to explore what options you might have with us, contact us today!