Whether you watch a news broadcast on TV, stream a podcast, listen to the radio, or scroll social media, chances are you’ve learned about climate change, environmental crises, and global efforts in reducing energy consumption and increasing recycling. Today we’re celebrating America Recycles Day by highlighting some of the impressive efforts in the automotive industry to recycle and reuse metal and other materials in efforts to be more eco-conscious!
Automotive recycling accounts for 14 million tons of recycled steel, or the equivalent of more than 13 million cars. In fact, vehicles are the most recycled item in all of the US, with around 95% of decommissioned and defunct vehicles being recycled annually. More than 27 million vehicles are recycled around the globe annually, and 12 million of those are from right here in the US! Automotive recycling industry in the United States provides jobs to over 100,000 people, and nearly $25 billion in revenue. And the North American (US/CA) auto recycling saves 85 million oil barrels each year, and enough reclaimed steel to create 13 million new cars!
Everything from steel and aluminum to car batteries (a whopping 98% are recycled) windshield glass, carpets,rubber hoses, and even seat belts can be repurposed or recycled! Even tires can be recycled and repurposed into new goods such as rubber for shoes and sandals, filler for playground surfaces, etc. Experts anticipate that scrap metal recycling will total upwards of $60 billion by the end of 2021, with about 60% of scrap metals being recycled from the automotive industry over the next 10 years.
Did you know that 86% of your car’s parts can be recycled? Here’s a great list of parts that can be reclaimed, repurposed, or recycled for use in other vehicles by automotive enthusiasts and mechanics:
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Vehicle batteries
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Select computerized elements
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Gently used or new tires
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Hoods
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Bumpers and fenders
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Transmissions
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Other specialty parts in good condition
Other materials from your vehicle that can’t be salvaged for use in another vehicle, but are upcycled and repurposed everywhere include:
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Glass which is recycled into concrete, glass bottles, insulation, jewelry, and even countertops.
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Oil gets cleaned, refined and repurposed for use in other applications. In fact, 85 million barrels of oil are saved every year through recycling.
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Rubber tires are shredded and broken down into things such as mulch, playground surfaces, running and race tracks.
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Steel and aluminum from vehicle bodies and frames.
Did you know that even consumers and car owners can find ways to reuse auto parts at home? We’ve got a great list of ideas for you to incorporate those old car parts into decor and more!
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Rustic Industrial Kid’s Chairs by “My Repurposed Life” - made from recycled vehicle jacks!
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A Reclaimed Licence Plate Map by “C.R.A.F.T .Blog” - collecting old license plates and cutting them up for each state in the US!
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Car and Tractor Tire Rim Ottomans from “Country Living” - create the perfect outdoor seating for your firepit by repurposing old car rims as a seat base!
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Seatbelt Buckle Key Holder by “Walyou” - a clever way to thwart the family member who always loses their car or house keys!
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Reuse Old Car Tires in the Garden List by “Backyard Boss” - create a veggie garden, planters, and more with your old discarded tires!
Not interested in upcycling or DIY projects? You can still take part in recycling your old car parts of your own accord. Check out this handy list of suggestions on how to do so!