Guide to the Auto Recycling Process
The Role of an Auto Recycler in North America
by Andrew MacDonald, P. Eng (PowerPoint Show, 3MB; also available in PDF, 900KB)
- Latest available studies estimate the gross annual revenues at $10 billion.
- Automotive recycling keeps highways and roads clear of abandoned and disabled vehicles from insurance companies, this allowing for recovery of financial losses.
- Recycling vehicles provides enough steel to produce almost 13 million new vehicles.
- In 1997, auto recyclers acquired 4.7 million vehicles for the purpose of recycling.
- An estimated 11 million gallons of oil and 6 million tires were recycled in 1997.
- Automotive recyclers spent nearly $50 million on environmental compliance in 1997.
- Automotive recyclers provide wholesale and retail customers quality parts that sell for up to 50%
less than the comparable new parts.
- Automotive recycling businesses employ over 46,000 people at more than 7,000 businesses in the U.S.