What Can Be Recycled From A Vehicle

Recycling cars is big business. With 1.2 million cars recycled each year in the UK what else from a vehicle can be recycled and how can it be used?

Seat and upholstery fabrics
These can be recycled by extracting them from the vehicle. The fabrics that have kept you comfortable on your car journeys are likely to become household furnishings – such as sofas, cushions, chairs, and even mattresses.

Glass
Glass can be broken back down into sand. As sand, it can be reused in construction, tableware, ornaments, vases, or possibly even kitchen or bathroom tiles.

Tyres
Tyres can be removed and with improvements in recycling processes can be recycled. Next time you see a children’s play area or sports court – take a look at the soft-touch rubbery floor – chances are it was once wrapped around a wheel!

Catalytic converter
These contain precious metals and are one of the most desirable parts of a scrap car – as they contain a range of precious metals. When these tiny amounts of desirable metals are recovered and combined, they can be used in a range of products – from specialist medical devices to wedding rings.

Steel Panels & Body Parts
The possibilities for the steel body panels and chassis that make up your car are almost endless. Some parts might end up on supermarket shelves as the cans for beans, soup, or drinks – and some might end up melted down to become railway tracks, bridges, or the steel reinforcing bars (rebar) that underpin buildings or roads.

Engine oil
With the right processes, even dirty engine oil can be reused. More often than not, engine oil will be treated and used as maritime fuel – powering the enormous engines that move containerships around the planet.

As you can see - there are many ways a car can live on and be recycled in many forms!