How are auto parts recycled by auto wreckers?

The auto recycling industry has emerged as one of the largest contributing significantly to the GDP of Australia. Reports reveal, around 95% of automobiles which run on roads get recycled every year. Millions of vehicles reach the end of usefulness every year and that's where wreckers and automobile manufacturers find it a terrific opportunity to capitalise.

Which parts are recycled and how?

A vast majority of car parts are recovered, recycled and reused. It is estimated around 90% of vehicle parts are recovered and recycled. These parts include windshield glass, tyres, batteries, iron and steel components, transmissions, radiators, rubber hoses, car seats, oil filters, mats and belts.

Insights into part recovery and recycling

Every year, millions of tyres are procured from old vehicles and their recycling rate can go up to 80%. The recycled tires are further utilised for pavement bases in order to make new roads. In addition, recycled glass is used for creation of tile flooring, porcelain, glass beads, jewellery and countertops. Did you know auto parts like glass in Perth can save gallons of oil from being used in creation of new glass? Auto batteries too are recycled for production of new batteries. Steel and other types of metals procured during a recycling are used for production of various other products.

How most of the car parts are recycled?

When a car reaches its end, its owners will sell it off to auto wreckers or an auto recycling unit whereby the latter will be given cash in exchange for the junk. After reaching the junkyard, the car will undergo four fundamental steps.

Detailed inspection

At the recycling facility, the car will be evaluated for ascertaining its value. The recycling unit will weigh the benefits of repair and recycle followed by which they can proceed with the recycling decision. Sometimes a repair may look more profitable than a recycle which might urge the recycling authorities to get the vehicle fixed. Meanwhile when auto wreckers in Mandurah decide to recycle the vehicle, they will dismantle the vehicle and put it up for recycling. Fact is, at least 90% of vehicles reaching a junk yard are recycled than repaired.

Draining the fluids and dismantling parts

Auto wreckers will then drain the fluids from the vehicle. Fluids are really important. They can be recycled and sold. Some common fluids which can be recycled are anti-freeze, gas, oil, brake lubricants and transmission fluid. The operators will segregate the fluids from hazardous liquid. The hazardous liquid will then be safely disposed of.

The process is followed by lifting the car transmission and engine from the chassis and removing usable parts before they are cleaned and resold. Components such as batteries and tyres can be resold as well.

Selling the recovered parts

Little after being recovered, the car parts which can be reused are put up for sale. While some of the car parts are sold for repair of cars which need replacements, others are directly sold to manufacturers.

Crushing or shredding

After the recyclable parts are removed from the car body, what remains is crushed or shredded as metal junk.

These are the four vital steps involved in auto part recycling. Auto wreckers make it a point that the unsold parts or remains of a car are responsibly disposed of.