Deciding to scrap your car is often the best solution when it’s no longer roadworthy, economical to repair, or safe to drive. But what exactly happens to your car once it’s handed over to a scrap dealer? At A to Z Scrap Cars and Vans Ltd, we follow a meticulous process to ensure that your vehicle is disposed of responsibly, adhering to all legal and environmental standards. Here’s a detailed look at what happens to your car after it’s scrapped.
1. Collection and Transportation
Once you’ve arranged for your car to be scrapped, it is collected and transported to an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF). A to Z Scrap Cars and Vans Ltd offers convenient collection services, ensuring that your vehicle is safely delivered to our licensed ATF.
2. Vehicle Depollution
The first step at the ATF is depollution. This involves removing all hazardous materials from the vehicle to prevent environmental contamination. These materials include:
- Fluids: Engine oil, brake fluid, coolant, and fuel are drained and collected for safe disposal or recycling.
- Battery: The car battery is removed and sent for recycling, as it contains harmful substances like lead and acid.
- Tyres: Tyres are removed and either recycled or disposed of in accordance with environmental regulations.
- Airbags: Any undeployed airbags are safely neutralized to prevent accidental deployment.
3. Dismantling
After depollution, the vehicle is dismantled to salvage any parts that are still usable. Components such as engines, transmissions, alternators, and other parts that are in good condition are removed, cleaned, and tested. These parts can then be resold as used parts, providing a cost-effective option for other vehicle owners.
4. Shredding and Sorting
Once all reusable parts are removed, the remaining vehicle shell is sent to a shredding facility. The car is broken down into small pieces by a powerful shredder. These fragments are then sorted into different materials, typically metals, plastics, and glass, using advanced technologies such as magnetic separation and eddy current separation.
5. Recycling Metals
The sorted metals, primarily steel and aluminum, are sent to recycling plants. These metals are melted down and purified before being cast into new products. Recycling metals from scrapped vehicles significantly reduces the need for mining raw materials, conserving natural resources and reducing environmental impact.
6. Recycling Other Materials
- Plastics: Plastics are sorted, cleaned, and processed into granules that can be used to manufacture new plastic products.
- Glass: Car windows and windshields are crushed and recycled to produce new glass products or used in construction materials.
- Rubber: Tyres and other rubber components are recycled to produce new rubber products, such as mats and flooring.
7. Disposal of Non-Recyclable Materials
Any materials that cannot be recycled are disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner. This ensures that the entire process has minimal impact on the environment.
8. Documentation and Certification
Throughout the scrapping process, documentation is meticulously maintained. Once the vehicle has been completely processed, you will receive a Certificate of Destruction (CoD) from the ATF. This certificate is crucial as it officially confirms that your vehicle has been scrapped and absolves you of any future liabilities related to the car.
The Environmental Benefits
Scrapping your car through a licensed ATF offers significant environmental benefits:
- Reduces Waste: By recycling metals and other materials, we reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
- Conserves Resources: Recycling materials reduces the need for mining and production of new materials, conserving natural resources.
- Decreases Pollution: Proper disposal of hazardous materials prevents soil and water contamination, protecting ecosystems and public health.
- Energy Savings: Recycling metals consumes less energy compared to producing new metals from raw materials, leading to lower carbon emissions.
Conclusion – What Happens to Your Car After It’s Scrapped?
Scrapping your car is not only a practical solution for an old or damaged vehicle but also an environmentally responsible choice. At A to Z Scrap Cars and Vans Ltd, we ensure that your vehicle is processed in a way that maximizes recycling and minimizes environmental impact. If you have any questions about the scrapping process or need to arrange for your car to be scrapped, contact us today. We’re here to help make the process as smooth and eco-friendly as possible.
Call us now on tel: 0774 313 4616 or request a quote for the best scrap car prices.
Related Articles:
