How to Dispose of Used Car Parts
As cars get older, its only natural to have to replace worn out parts. But hazardous waste like old car batteries and motor oil doesnt belong in the curbside bin. Instead, they should be given to special facilities to be processed and reused.
The majority of your car is actually recyclable. That doesnt mean you can just toss old parts into the recycling bin, though. Most parts still need to be brought to the right facility based on their material and function.
When it comes to disposing of your old car parts, you typically have four options:
Recycle parts at an appropriate recycling plant
Bring scrap metal and large parts to a salvage yard
Return core parts to an auto parts store or dealership
Give toxic or contaminated materials to a hazardous waste facility
Depending on your municipalitys trash and recycling program, you may be able to have your old car parts picked up from your home. Some cities have designated collection days for these kinds of unordinary or oversized items. Your local salvage yard may also be willing to pick up old car parts. Call your city or local junkyard to see if they offer these services.
How to Recycle Old Car Parts
Recycling car parts is important since many old components can be repurposed into new materials and products or even be rebuilt into the same original part. Below are some of the most common car parts that can be recycled.
1. Batteries & Other Core Parts
Certain auto parts that can be rebuilt and reused after they wear out - such as batteries, starters, and brake calipers - are known as "core parts." When you buy these parts, they include a core charge, which represents part of the items recycling value. Typically, you pay this core charge as a deposit that you can get back by returning the item once it has worn out. This supplies the manufacturer with reusable parts and keeps your old components from ending up in a landfill.
Common core parts include:
Batteries
Starters
Water pumps
Alternators
Cylinder heads
Brake calipers
Power steering pumps
A/C compressors
Master cylinders
Transmissions
Batteries, in particular, must be disposed of properly because the lead they contain is extremely toxic. Most auto parts stores will accept dead batteries, and many states even have take-back laws that offer a cash incentive to exchange your dead battery with a new one.
Some auto parts stores will only accept core parts originally sold by them, while others will take any core parts. If you are replacing an original INFINITI part, your best bet is to buy the new part online and return the core part to a dealership.
2. Oil Filters
When you change your oil, its common to change out the oil filter as well. Both the oil and oil filter are considered hazardous waste and must be disposed of properly by law. Thankfully, all you have to do is seal your oil filter in a plastic bag and bring it to a collection center. Some auto parts stores may also be willing to take used oil and filters. The remaining oil and steel inside oil filters can both be recycled.
3. Tires
Its important to recycle your tires because they take up a lot of space in landfills and dont biodegrade well. Once your tires have reached the end of their usable life, take them to your local recycling center or tire shop. They may charge a small fee. From there, most tires are turned into all kinds of useful things, such as artificial playground turf, asphalt, and soil additives.
4. Automotive Glass
Due to the layer of plastic laminate inside windshields, they used to be very difficult to recycle. However, modern technology has made it simpler to separate the glass and plastic in windshields for reuse. Many auto glass companies now offer to recycle broken windshields and windows. Auto glass can be repurposed into a wide variety of items, like dishes, bottles, and even fiberglass insulation.
5. Scrap Metal
Almost all the metal on a car can be recycled in some way. Some metal parts may comply with your curbside recycling program if they are small enough, such as door handles, headlight bezels, and side mirrors. Check your local regulations to see if such items can be picked up and recycled. Larger pieces of scrap metal, like mufflers, doors, and radiators, should be taken to a salvage yard.
How to Get Rid of Used Motor Oil & Other Fluids
If youve ever changed your own oil, then you know the dirty, leftover fluid definitely does not belong with the regular trash. But the good thing about motor oil is that it never actually wears out. It just needs to be collected and cleaned before being used again.
Recycling used motor oil is easy. Most auto shops and recycling centers accept motor oil and other used car oils such as transmission fluid and brake fluid. All you need to do is collect the individual oils in a tightly sealed container and drop them off-you may even receive a small compensation.
It is best not to mix these lubricants before recycling. Motor oil and other fluids that are contaminated are more difficult to process and may need to be taken to a hazardous waste facility for proper disposal. Never dispose of motor oil down the drain, in soil, or anywhere else that isnt a collection center.
Can You Sell Car Parts?
In some instances, it may be possible to sell your old car parts. Some local recycling plants and salvage yards may pay you for certain parts such as doors, bumpers, rims, and scrap metal that can be reused or remade. Parts containing precious metals, such as a catalytic converter, are typically worth more. Usually, the better the condition a given part is in, the better chance you have of selling it.
