If your car has reached the end of its usefulness, you're probably considering how to dispose of it. Be environmentally friendly by selling it to a recycling operation or scrap yard. Its parts and metals can be reused by others, but neglecting to recycle your old or badly working vehicle has environmental consequences. Here’s what you should know.  

What Happens If You Don't Recycle Your Car?

1. Metal Is Wasted

Recycling centers can harvest valuable metals and alloys from cars—steel, aluminum, brass, copper, and zinc. If your car is abandoned or ends up in a landfill before these metals are reclaimed, finite natural resources essential for industrial production, including the manufacture of new cars, are lost.

2. Harmful Fumes & Liquids Are Released

Cars that end up in a landfill may be incinerated to make room for incoming waste. When cars are burned, they release toxic chemicals and emit carbon dioxide into the air. In addition, if a car isn't properly drained of oil, gas, antifreeze, battery acid, and other automotive fluids, they’ll all end up in the ground, poisoning the soil, water, and wildlife.

3. Useful Car Parts Are Lost

Scrap metal isn't the only reason to recycle old cars. Many parts can be retooled for use in other vehicles. From the tires to the catalytic converter, components that can be removed from your car intact can be recycled into affordable replacement parts for other drivers.

If you have a car that’s seen better days, take it to Byer Steel for recycling. This family-owned recycling center and scrap yard has served residents and businesses in Cincinnati, OH, for over 100 years. They buy and recycle all types of metal. Visit their website to learn more about their industrial and retail services, or call them at (513) 948-0300 to discuss pricing and procedures.