What Happens to Your Car After It's Recycled?

Have you ever wondered what actually happens to your car once it's picked up for recycling? The journey from your driveway to a fully recycled vehicle is a fascinating process that involves multiple stages, each designed to maximize recovery and minimize waste.

Stage 1: Collection and Inspection

Once you accept a quote and schedule a pickup, a licensed tow operator collects your vehicle. Upon arrival at the recycling facility, the vehicle is inspected and catalogued. Important details like the VIN, make, model, and condition are recorded.

Stage 2: Depollution

This is arguably the most critical stage. Before any dismantling begins, all hazardous materials are carefully removed:

• Fluids — Engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, coolant, and power steering fluid are drained and either recycled or safely disposed of.
• Battery — Lead-acid batteries are removed and sent to specialized recyclers.
• Tires — Removed and sent to tire recycling facilities where they can be turned into rubber mulch, playground surfaces, or fuel.
• Airbags — Undeployed airbags are safely removed or deployed under controlled conditions.
• Refrigerants — Air conditioning gases are captured and properly handled to prevent ozone depletion.

Stage 3: Parts Salvage

Reusable parts are carefully removed and tested. Components like alternators, starters, transmissions, and body panels in good condition can be resold as used auto parts. This gives other vehicle owners access to affordable replacement parts while keeping functional components out of landfills.

Stage 4: Shredding and Material Recovery

After all reusable parts and hazardous materials are removed, the remaining shell is crushed and sent through an industrial shredder. Powerful magnets and eddy current separators sort the shredded material into:

• Ferrous metals (steel, iron) — Sent to steel mills for melting and reuse.
• Non-ferrous metals (aluminum, copper, zinc) — Separated and sold to metal processors.
• Automotive Shredder Residue (ASR) — The remaining mix of plastics, glass, rubber, and fabric is processed further to recover additional materials.

Stage 5: New Life

The recovered metals are melted down and used to manufacture new products — from new vehicles and appliances to construction materials and packaging. A recycled car truly gets a second life in countless forms.

At Canadian Auto Recyclers, we partner exclusively with authorized recycling facilities to ensure your vehicle is processed responsibly and in full compliance with Canadian environmental regulations.