At $25 billion in annual revenues, automotive recycling is the 16th largest industry in the United States. Materials from 95 percent of the 11 million cars sent to the junkyard each year are reclaimed at one or more of the 7,000 vehicle recycling operations around the country. Recycling engineers can reclaim about 84 percent of the materials used to build a car and redistribute them to manufacturers to produce new automobile and consumer products.
Metals
From their exterior to interior components, passenger cars contain 65 percent steel and iron by weight, according to the Steel Recycling Institute. After removal of the reusable parts, old cars are sent to steel and iron scrap processors where the automobiles are shredded. The iron and steel are then shipped to steel mills where they are recycled to produce new steel. Other reclaimable metals that make up about 10 percent of a car's weight, include aluminum, magnesium, copper, brass and zinc. Lead plates are recovered and recycled from dead car batteries.
Plastic and Rubber
The plastic used to construct bumpers and car interiors can be recycled into new bumpers and interior components. Plastic casings and components used to make car batteries also can be reclaimed and used to manufacture new batteries. Automakers can use the rubber from old tires as raw material to produce rubber for new tires. Recycled tires also have been used to make brake pedals, splash shields and floor mats.
Fabrics and Glass
A car's upholstery and carpeting are recyclable. Automakers have recycled used carpet into auto air cleaner assemblies and engine fan modules. The U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory has developed a process for recycling the polyurethane foam used to construct car seats. Windshields are made of a plastic film sandwiched between two pieces of plate glass. Upon separating the glass from the film, automotive glass can be successfully recycled into material that can be used as a component of concrete.
Fluid and Acids
Recyclable fluids, such as engine oil, coolant, refrigerant and gasoline, can be removed and reused. The sulfuric acid in car batteries can be neutralized and turned into water. After treatment, cleaning and testing, the water can be released into the public sewer system. Battery acid also can be converted into sodium sulfate, an odorless white powder that is used to make laundry detergent, glass and textiles.
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