Instead of letting your old car sit around and collect dust, you can consider recycling it. Recycling your car is an environmentally conscious way to deal with a junk car you no longer have use for. Here’s what you should know about recycling a car.

Benefits of Recycling a Car

Almost all parts of a car can be saved and reused. In fact, approximately 90% of a car can be recycled. Recycled tires are mainly used to make pavements bases that help to create new roads. Recycled glass from cars can be used to make tiles, glass beads, jewelry, and countertops. Scrap metal that comes from the car’s door handles, rims, and other parts can be melted down and used to create new items.

Batteries should be recycled to keep the toxic chemicals from contaminating the environment. The plastics on a car, such as lights, gas tanks, bumpers, and dashboards can be shredded and made into new products. Even engine oil can be recycled as it never wears out, it just gets dirty.

Sell Your Used Car to an Automotive Company

There are companies who buy used cars to break them down for parts. Every car recycling service is different, so you’ll want to do some research. Information you’ll want to collect from each service include: a quote (a free quote would be best), whether they will pick up the car, and whether they will help deal with paperwork involved. You will have to transfer the title of the car.

If you’re looking to make some money on your old car, this is a good choice. You can contact a few companies and weigh their offers against each other. It’s important to note that companies that recycle cars are not the same as scrap yards. You’re more likely to get more money for your car if you sell to a recycling company and know that more of the parts will be recycled.

Donate Your Old Car

If you don’t want to sell your car, but want to help others in some way, donating your car to a charity is a good option. If the car is in working condition, the charity may choose to use it themselves. If the car needs work, or is beyond repair that the charity can pay for, they can sell the car and use the money to benefit the charity.

Research charities that accept cars and figure out where your car can best be used. Don’t forget to deal with paperwork properly and save it all when you donate your car. You may even get a tax deduction when you donate your car to a charity. You may also consider contacting a school that teaches automotive classes as they need cars to practice on.

When getting rid of an old car, you have the choice to sell it or to donate it. Either choice is a good one, it depends on what your goal is. Your ultimate goal, of course, is to know that your car is being recycled and put to good use instead of tossed in a pile of garbage.

Want more information? Learn how to sell your car here or visit this page to learn how to donate your car.