We all would like to reduce our carbon footprint and there are easy ways to recycle parts of your car. Be it old or new, having a vehicle involves basic maintenance and constant replacement of worn out or old parts of your car.

Think about how many different parts of your car are replaced throughout the years. It’s a substantial amount, the majority of which is oil and tires, which are replaced regularly throughout the life of a car. Since it’s important to the life of your car that these parts are replaced and many of them can be recycled regularly. Let’s look at the basics.

Engine Oil

The main element of your vehicle that can be replaced and recycled is the engine oil. The general rule for most conventional oils is to replace them every three to six months or every 5000-7000 miles. There are more expensive synthetic engine oils available that last longer but either way you’re going to burn through quite a bit of oil over the years. If you’re taking your vehicle in for regular service to a professional shop to have your oil changed, they are probably recycling it already, but if you change your own oil it’s important to bring your used oil to a recycling centre near you.

Oil Filters

Once you’ve drained all of the oil from the reservoir of the filter it is also a part that is recyclable. You can visit the Used Oil Associations of Canada for more information on the proper disposal and recycling of oil filters.

Tires

Out of all of the viable parts of your vehicle, the tires are the most recyclable part of all. Most tires are not biodegradable and take up tons of space in landfills. Once your tires have spent the last of their useful life, you can bring them to your nearest recycling centre. Here they can take the tires and recycle them into things like artificial playground turf, fuel, gravel substitute or even garden mulch.

Automotive Glass

Most windshields that get cracked or broken end up in landfills. The safety glass that windshields are made from isn’t like conventional windows in your home, so they can’t be recycled in the conventional ways at any facility.

Many organisations have been working to improve the process in which automotive glass is recycled but it hasn’t caught on everywhere yet. If there isn’t a place to recycle your auto glass in your area you can still support the many products that are made from this material, like drinking glasses, countertops, jewellery, and floor tile.

Batteries

Batteries are another car part that are replaced frequently, and it’s very important that you recycle this part as well because most batteries contain some form of lead which is extremely toxic to the environment. Most areas have a take-back law in place to handle recycling batteries and some offer a cash incentive in exchange for old batteries.

Scrap Metal

Most of what your car is made from is metal, so a vast majority of it is recyclable. Some of the parts from your vehicle may even fit into your neighbourhood’s regular curbside recycling program. There may be specific guidelines such as the part can’t weigh over a certain amount and can’t have any fluids in it like oil or antifreeze. It may also have to fit inside the bin with the lid completely closed (check with your local municipality). This could include parts like door handles, side mirrors, headlight bezels or fenders. Normally items from the vehicle that shouldn’t be included are spark plugs, brake shoes, catalytic converters and mufflers. Those sorts of parts can be brought to our recycling centre, where you may even make a profit for your spare parts.

Quick Facts

Six parts of your automobile can be recycled:Oil, oil filters batteries, tires, scrap metal, and glass.

Large pieces of your car can be recycled and do have value. Radiators, alternators, generators, starters, copper engines and catalytic converters are just some of the parts that can be recycled.

The most valuable parts of your vehicle that can be recycled are the catalytic converter, the transmission system and the engine itself. We recycle car motors and a variety of car parts for the Greater Toronto community.

Taking your car to your local service centre for an oil change will ensure that your used oil is being properly recycled by that company, but if you do it yourself, make sure you take it to your local recycling centre.

When you recycle your auto parts you’re helping to bring attention to this viable recycling concept and also doing your part to reduce your carbon footprint one scrap at a time!

For more information on recycling in your area for your auto parts or any other items in your home, reach out to Manville Recycling today. Give us a call at 416-751-4732 or use our contact form to ask us a question.