Shop Smart for Your New Car

Automotive Items That Recycling Centers Process: Lesser Known Collections That Could Make Your Life Easier

Everyone knows that recycling centers can and do process the metal taken from wrecked cars and trucks, but did you know recycling centers manage other automotive items? Some of the things that these recycling centers process may surprise you. Once you know that these items are recyclable and that a center can process them for you, it may be easier for you to dispose of these things.

Used Oil

Used oil often has to be taken to the city dump where the dump disposes of it for a fee. However, you may have a recycling center near you that has the ability to clean and process used oil. If you have several cans of used oil that you need to dispose of, you can take them to this recycling center. After the used oil is cleaned and processed, it can be reused.

Gas Left in Vehicle Tanks

When wrecked cars show up to the salvage yard, their gas tanks have to be emptied thoroughly before the metal from the vehicles is recycled. The recycling center siphons off the gas or drains the tanks, placing the gas into legally acceptable, portable gas tanks. The recycling yard then reuses the siphoned gas to power their generators, run salvage trucks, etc. If you recently filled a gas tank in a vehicle that is no longer functional or useful, you can donate the gas tank and its fuel to the recycling center that is able to remove them and reuse the fuel.

Automotive Computers

Many newer vehicles have onboard computers. These computers aid in the control of several vehicle functions. In addition to the engines' computers, cars now have dashboard computers too. All of these automotive computers and their related components are extremely valuable as parts for other cars and trucks. They are also recycled for some of the metals inside them.

Foam

Much of the foam in the interior of your vehicle is there to provide cushioning in the upholstery and cushion you in the event of an accident. Foam can be melted and the gases produced from their disintegration can be collected and used for laboratory purposes. There are only a limited number of recycling centers that can recycle and process foam this way. The rest may recycle the foam by cleaning it and selling it to other businesses for their own uses. If you have some foam leftover from when you had your car's interior reupholstered, this is one option that may help take it off your hands.

Contact a recycling center, like Miamitown Auto Parts & Recycling or another location, for more help and info.


Share