Tag: vehicle recycling

As we work towards building a greener world, finding sustainable solutions is imperative. In the automotive industry, we’ve seen a huge surge in car recycling in recent years as more people are beginning to recognise the environmental and economic benefits it has to offer.

According to Climate.gov, our activities involving burning fossil fuels and clearing forests adds about 11 billion metric tons of carbon to the atmosphere each year. With statistics like this and growing concerns about climate change, there has been a significant change in the automotive industry. Fortunately, we’ve seen a positive increase in car recycling and a rising demand for recycled car parts. 

But what exactly do the benefits of car recycling and buying green parts mean to you? Let’s take a look at the positive impact it has on the environment, your wallet, and the overall sustainability of the automotive industry.

Environmental Impact

Did you know that when new car parts are manufactured, it puts a huge strain on the environment? This is because the manufacturing process and extraction of raw materials requires energy from fossil fuels and electricity, which results in greenhouse gas emissions.

Not only that, the transportation of newly manufactured parts to different locations also contributes to carbon emissions. So, as you can gather, the entire lifecycle of new car parts has a substantial environmental impact.

When you purchase green parts, however, it’s guaranteed that you’re contributing to a greener future. Whenever a green part is purchased, the lifespan of the part is extended and is prevented from ending up in landfill.

Recycled parts means there is a reduced demand for new part production, which in turn helps conserve valuable resources like metal, plastic, and energy. Recycling car parts also minimises waste, reduces landfill space, and decreases the pollution associated with manufacturing new components. By opting for green parts, you’re actively participating in the circular economy and support the responsible use of resources.

At Overton Automotive, we recycle vehicles and sell green parts across the UK. We also collect cars from anywhere around the UK (and cover the costs), which helps to reduce carbon emissions caused by transportation. Make the world a greener place and recycle your car with us today.

Cost Effective

Did you know that purchasing green parts is significantly cheaper than buying brand new car parts?

By purchasing recycled parts, you can often find high-quality alternatives at a fraction of the cost of new parts. Find more info on our blog about how much money green parts can save you.

Whether you’re a car owner or a repair shop, opting for green parts allows you to make substantial savings while still ensuring the reliability and performance of your vehicle. If you’re looking for affordable car parts without compromising on quality, it’s definitely worth checking out green parts over new.

Availability & Quality

As car recycling has become increasingly popular in recent years, it’s resulted in a wide availability of green parts for various makes and models of vehicles. 

Whether you need an engine, radio unit, body panel, or any other component, there’s a good chance that a recycled alternative is readily accessible. Check out our stock of 50,000+ parts on our ebay store.

You also don’t have to worry about the quality of green parts as all parts are carefully inspected, tested, and refurbished to ensure their compatibility and functionality, making them a reliable choice for vehicle repairs and maintenance.

All of Overton Automotive’s green parts are VRAC guaranteed with every purchase, meaning all parts we sell are fully checked, graded and certified. 

Sustainability Awareness

When buying green car parts, you’re actively contributing to a more sustainable automotive industry. 

Now more than ever, there’s a much larger message out there about car recycling. For example, Global Car Recycling Day was recently announced to encourage a more sustainable future. Days and events like this are a great way to spread awareness about the topic, particularly on social media, and encourage people from all over to get involved.

Whenever someone makes an environmentally conscious decision like car recycling and purchasing green parts, it ultimately reduces the environmental footprint associated with manufacturing new parts and encourages responsible consumption. It sends a powerful message to manufacturers and the industry as a whole, promoting the importance of sustainable practices and encouraging further innovation in the industry.

Choosing to recycle your car and purchasing green parts is a win-win situation. Not only do you contribute to an environmentally friendly future, but you can also benefit from significant cost savings and access to high-quality components. So, next time you need a car part, consider the benefits of buying green and join the movement towards a greener, more sustainable future through car recycling.

Get in touch with us for all your car recycling and green part queries on 01224 722 354 or sales@overton-automotive.co.uk.

In today’s world, where environmental consciousness is more important than ever, finding sustainable solutions has become a priority. When it comes to the automotive industry, car recycling and the use of green parts play a vital role in reducing waste and promoting eco-friendly practices.

Global Car Recycling Day

That’s why it’s important to acknowledge the announcement and new awareness day by the auto recycling experts, CarTakeBack. To encourage a sustainable future, the company announced the first annual Global Car Recycling Day which is to be held on June 20th.

Here’s what CarTakeBack’s Business Development Manager, Alison Price, has to say:

“Establishing responsible car recycling networks across the globe, after meeting the UK and EU’s tough environmental standards and 95% recycling rates, has revealed the pressing need for this campaign. While many countries love their cars, and are increasingly environmentally aware, at the end of a vehicle’s life the right choices are not always clear or indeed available.

To avoid environmental harm and to ensure the protection of sustainable car production into the future, it’s essential that car recycling regulations are improved internationally. The public can help to drive that progress by demanding an environmentally responsible route for the disposal of their old car.

We’re looking forward to raising awareness through Global Car Recycling Day and working with organisations and individuals worldwide to maximise its effect.”

The campaign will no doubt be supported by many in the automotive industry, and we are glad to encourage everyone to participate and spread the word. Mark your calendars for June 20th and use the hashtag #GlobalCarRecyclingDay to share your support and contribute.

Auto Recycling at Overton Automotive

Overton Automotive is on a mission to make a significant impact on waste reduction and carbon footprint by actively engaging in the recycling of end-of-life vehicles, hence our full support behind the campaign.

So, let’s delve into our recycling process.

When a vehicle arrives at our yards for recycling, we carefully dismantle and depollute all materials and liquids. Our skilled technicians remove all hazardous materials, such as fluids, batteries, and mercury switches, ensuring their safe disposal. 

The car is then disassembled, with valuable components and parts being salvaged for reuse or refurbishment. Our store currently holds over 50,000 green parts.

We recycle 95% of the vehicle, with all remaining materials which cannot be sold as green parts (e.g. the shell, wiring etc) being taken to a recycling facility. These materials are then shredded, sorted, and processed to separate different materials, including steel, aluminium, and plastics. 

At Overton Automotive, our recycling process guarantees the safe, responsible, and efficient recycling of your car, providing you with peace of mind in making an environmentally-conscious choice.

As we celebrate Global Car Recycling Day, it’s essential to recognise the impact that car recycling can have on the environment. By choosing to recycle your car, you actively contribute to conserving resources, reducing waste, and promoting a sustainable future. 

So, make a difference today by embracing car recycling and spreading awareness about the importance of this global movement. Together, we can drive change and build a greener, more sustainable planet to live in.

If you have an old vehicle that you no longer need or want, you may be considering recycling it. Recycling your car can be an eco-friendly way to dispose of it, and you may even be able to make some money from it! 

Although, before you recycle your car, there are a few things that you should know to ensure that the process is safe, legal, and efficient.

Find a Reputable Auto Recycler

To ensure you recycle your car correctly, make sure to look for a recycler that has a good reputation, is licensed and insured, and follows environmentally responsible practices.

Overton Automotive have been in the auto recycling industry for over 60 years now and are one of the UK’s leading vehicle recycling and green parts facilities.

Find out more about Overton Automotive and how they can help here.

Remove Personal Items 

Before you recycle your car, make sure to remove all personal items, including licence plates, registration, and insurance documents. You should also remove any valuables, such as electronic devices or jewellery. If you do leave anything, don’t worry! We will return any items we find in your vehicle.

Check for Hazardous Materials

Make sure to check for other materials such as petrol cans and gas canisters and dispose of them properly prior to bringing your vehicle in.

V5/Registration Documents

You’ll need to transfer ownership of the car to the auto recycler, so make sure to have all the necessary paperwork, including the title, ready to go. 

If you have misplaced or lost the documents please speak to our dedicated team who will advise on how to proceed without these.

Overton Automotive’s recycling process means you can ensure that your car is recycled safely, responsibly, and efficiently. Not only will you be doing your part to protect the environment, but you may also be able to make some money in the process. So, if you have an old car that you’re ready to say goodbye to, it’s definitely worth recycling it.

If you’re thinking about recycling your car, get your free quote today.

The benefits of vehicle recycling are endless. It helps the environment, protects wildlife, and it can also make you money! It’s something that’s become increasingly popular over the past decade with landfill piles reducing in size. A great step in the right direction!

With 27 million cars recycled each year, it’s important to know exactly what car parts you should be recycling to help save our planet. So, here are 6 of the key car materials Overton Automotive recycle correctly.

1. Metal

The majority of an average car is made up of metal, with the most common metal in car manufacturing being steel (found in brakes, engine, exhaust, wheels, and roofs). Steel is popular due to its durability, low price, and the fact it’s easy to work with. 

At Overton Automotive, we’ll take in your scrap vehicle and remove all the components before crushing it. The metal will then be processed for metal recycling through processes of magnetic separation, detinning and melting.

Parts such as axles, handles and other scrap metal can be sold to scrap metal companies where they’ll melt down the metal so it can be reused. So, the metal from your car could turn into just about anything, from electronics and medical equipment, to jewellery and other transportation devices.

2. Plastic Components

The second most common material found in vehicles is plastic, with around 40 different types of plastic in a car, and 10,000 parts on a car being plastic. Not only that, plastic is becoming a more popular use of material due to its lighter weight and better mileage, accounting for as little as 10% of an average car’s weight.

Plastic components can be found in both the interior and exterior, from parts such as bumpers and lift gates, to door panels and lighting.

Unfortunately, plastic waste is still such a large issue which we are tackling as a planet. Although when recycling your vehicle, there are specific methods for depolluting and shredding the plastic into smaller pieces to help tackle this issue. They are then sent to recycling centres to be turned into various pieces of equipment. 

So whether your dashboard is turned into a lunch box, a shampoo bottle or a toy, you can guarantee they’ll be repurposed into something useful.

3. Tyres

Did you know that around 50 million vehicle tyres are discarded each year in the UK? Because of this staggering number, tyres were actually banned from being dumped in landfill sites back in 2002. 

Since then, the UK has ensured that 100% of tyres are now recycled, in various ways, in order to help save the planet. Due to the nature of the material and the chemicals in tyres, they can be difficult to break down like other car components. 

Tyres are great for refurbishing or shredding into new products. When mixed with asphalt, shredded tyres can be used for roadway construction. Rubberised asphalt makes for a safe material for roads as it’s skid-resistant and improves night time visibility for drivers.

Did you know that shredded tyres can also be recycled into fuel? Using high-temp pyrolysis technology the tyres can be converted into oil for our vehicles.

According to Michelin, “car tyre disposal leads to around 30 million tons of tyres being replaced and potentially thrown away every year, worldwide!” Hence the importance of recycling old tyres.

4. Battery

Like most other components, your vehicle battery can’t be recycled at home. By law it must be recycled properly as they contain hazardous materials, such as lead and sulphuric acid, that could harm the environment. 

Bringing your old car battery to Overton Automotive for recycling is great for both you and the environment. Once removed from the vehicle, the batteries are collected by a licensed treatment company and each component of the battery is taken out including the lead, silver, acidic water and plastic. These are then all separated. 

The process of recycling a car battery involves the acid in the water to be chemically neutralised and purified. The lead and silver are melted to be reused as battery components, while the plastic is melted into pellets. These are then used for battery cases.

5. Engines

One of the more complex parts to recycle due to its many components is a vehicle’s engine. However, it’s much cheaper to recycle and reuse old engine parts than to produce a brand new one from scratch. It’s also a crucial step in reducing waste and conserving resources in the automotive industry.

Once an end-of-life engine has been taken into a recycling facility, it can then be disassembled to separate the different components, such as metal parts, plastic and rubber parts, and other materials. The separated components are sorted and graded based on their quality and material type, and the engine block and other larger metal parts are shredded into smaller pieces for easier processing. The shredded metal is melted in a furnace to produce clean scrap metal, which can be used to make new products.

Reuse and repurposing is a significant part of the engine recycling process. The different materials from the engine, such as steel, aluminium, and copper, are used to make new products, such as new engines or other automotive parts. This not only reduces waste but also conserves resources, as recycled materials require less energy to produce than new materials.

6. Engine Oil

The same as an engine, engine oil must also be recycled correctly to avoid polluting the environment. Used vehicle oil contains hazardous contaminants, so should never just be poured down the sink. At Overton we aim to depollute all vehicles within two days of arriving on site , we use the appropriate machinery to remove all oils and other fluids from the vehicle prior to dismantling.

The engine oil then undergoes a full process of recycling.

1. The oil is placed in a large settling tank to separate the oil from water.
2. The oil is cleaned by a filtering process which removes any solids and additives.
3. It then undergoes propane de-asphalting to remove any outstanding bitumen elements.
4. Now that the oil has been refined, it’s then distilled to be refined even further to be used as fuel oils, lubricants and raw materials.

This should give you a better understanding of what happens to some of the key materials in your car when it is recycled, what they can be reused for, and also how not to dispose of certain parts.

Have any questions about recycling your car? Our friendly team are happy to answer any questions you might have. Call us on 01224 722 354 or email us at sales@overton-automotive.co.uk.