How to recycle your car safely and efficiently

There are many reasons as to why you may decide to scrap your trusty car. Whether it has been written-off following an unfortunate accident or it has simply come to the end of its working life, it is now possible dispose of your car in an environmentally friendly fashion.

It is said that two million vehicles are disposed of each and every year in the United Kingdom, but only half of them are scrapped through the proper channels. Car recycling is however a growing phenomenon amongst British motorists with an increasing number of businesses handling the dismantling, testing and cleaning of end-of-life vehicles in line with the Environment Agency’s end-of-life vehicle directive.

The primary objectives of the end-of-life vehicle directive are to minimise the amount of waste created by the scrapping of vehicles, encouraging firms to refine previously inefficient dismantling practices.

Subsequently vehicle depollution was borne out of the demand to reduce adverse environmental impacts, a new treatment process that all end-of-life vehicles now undertake in order to meet new levels of recycled materials as stipulated by the directive.

This new process is centred on two primary functions. The first stage is the recovery of all positive components and fluids (oils, fuels and coolants etc.) that can be recycled and re-used.

The used car parts market has expanded tenfold in recent years. Some auto recycling businesses offer short to medium-term guarantees on second hand parts with additional protection for motorists looking for a cheaper parts alternative to keep their car on the road without having to buy a brand new part from a garage or dealership.

The second stage of the vehicle depollution process is to remove all the negative elements contained within an end-of-life vehicle that may prove harmful to the environment i.e. tyres, airbags and mercury switches.

If you have a natural end-of-life vehicle that is ready to be scrapped due to gradual wear and tear it may not be safe to transport the vehicle yourself straight to the scrap yard.

Scrap car transporters are therefore a very helpful service with many businesses now offering collection of your scrap car from home or even your place of work depending on your preference. These vehicle transporters generally offer the same level of services regardless of whether the vehicle is a re-sellable asset or is to be scrapped simply for parts.

 Photo via Flickr