Cars, trucks, and SUVs provide metal recycling opportunities that help keep the planet green and beautiful. Auto recycling is the 16th largest industry in the U.S., creating thousands of jobs in addition to offering numerous environmental benefits. Below, learn why vehicle recycling is an ecological necessity before taking your junk car to the local salvage yard.

The Environmental Benefits of Auto Recycling

1. Reduces Steel Mining & Manufacturing

Mining for steel and other metals poses serious environmental risks, even with regulated practices. Steel mining operations not only disturb the landscape and local wildlife, but they also contribute to contaminated air, soil, and water. For example, acid rock drainage from “waste rock” can pollute groundwater. Also, manufacturing new steel instead of recycling the metal uses significantly more energy.

2. Lowers Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Iron ore refinement and the subsequent use of coal in steel manufacturing releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere that contribute to global warming and other climate change issues. Metal recycling procedures, such as melting down steel, require significantly less fuel to maintain cleaner air.

3. Saves Landfill Space

Junk vehicles take up untold volumes of landfill space. Metal recycling keeps these vehicles out of landfills to make room for materials that cannot be recycled. Recycling vehicles instead of sending them to landfills also returns lithium and other hard-to-obtain materials to the auto industry.

4. Contributes to Soil & Waterway Health

Whether they’re on private property, public property, or in a landfill, junk cars contain motor oil, gasoline, and other fluids that can end up in the ground and leech into nearby waterways. Responsible metal recycling drains junk vehicles of all fluids before taking them apart to help maintain soil and water quality. It also helps protect groundwater resources since fluids can leak through the soil to eventually hit aquifers.

Take your vehicle to Round Bottom Recycling in Milford, OH, for responsible disposal. The metal recycling company pays cash for junk cars and other scrap, plus they offer towing for inoperable vehicles. Call (513) 248-4435 today to arrange a pickup, or learn more about their metal recycling services online. Get additional recycling tips on Facebook.