Auto parts are recycled not only from cars at the end of their useful life, but also during regular car maintenance. When a car reaches the end of its life cycle, the parts that are intact are sold ‘as is’ on the market. Many are recycled for different types of applications. On the other hand, when parts are thrown away during car maintenance, they cannot be reused. They need to be fully recycled for other applications.
Let’s look at the various car parts that are usually discarded during regular maintenance and what happens to them:
1. Oil filters:
When an oil filter needs to be disposed of, you can’t just throw it away. The reason for this is that the oil filter contains oil that contains toxins. If released into the environment, it will contaminate soil, waterways, underground reservoirs, and marine life.
Oil filter recycling involves mechanical grinding of the filter to extract any remaining oil. This leaves the metallic portion. The metal is sold as scrap and reused.
2. Car batteries:
Many times, a car may have several perfectly working parts, but the battery may be malfunctioning. At such times it becomes necessary to dispose of the battery. Battery disposal should be done with caution as a car battery contains acids and lead which are harmful to the environment.
An old car battery can be recycled to make a new one. Therefore, many battery suppliers offer to exchange old batteries for new ones. The best way to recycle a car battery is to exchange a worn out battery for a new or recycled one. Using a recycled battery is beneficial as it is much cheaper than a new battery.
3. Tires:
Once a car’s tires wear out, they will need to be replaced. Car tire disposal is a problem. This is because tires are non-biodegradable and bulky. Therefore, they occupy the precious landfill.
But luckily, worn tires have multiple applications. They can be used to create artificial grass, fuel, and much more.
4. Glass parts:
If a car is so damaged in a mishap that its windshield breaks, then it’s not a good idea to throw the glass away. This is because the glass occupies the precious landfill. Broken glass is recycled to produce jewelry, countertops, etc.
Obviously, auto parts are recycled to produce a variety of products. To be part of the recycling process, we must not be insensitive when it comes to disposing of car parts.