Recycle Utah

Nonprofit Summit County, Utah Recycling Center

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The Environmentally Responsible Way to Dispose of Your Clunker

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Access to a vehicle is a vital part of the daily routine for many of us residing in the US. Now, more than ever, we must consider the negative effects vehicles have on our environment. After all, we hear about greenhouse gas emissions and global warming daily. Ideally, not possessing a vehicle is the most earth-friendly option. In addition to saving on costs associated with vehicles such as car payments, auto insurance, fuel, and maintenance, our environment is spared some harm in the form of various pollutants cars produce.

Many times, however, regular use of a vehicle is necessary due to local infrastructure. Unfortunately, mobile sources such as cars, buses, and trucks are our main sources of air pollution, per the National Park Service. These types of vehicles account for more than half of all the air pollution in the US. Not surprisingly, automobiles are the top producer of the group.

The salvage yard- a vehicle disposal option fit for some.

You’ve probably heard of auto salvage yards. These businesses purchase junk vehicles from owners who no longer want them. Some salvage yards dismantle the vehicles and sell the parts directly to customers. Others invite customers to come track down components they are seeking and remove parts themselves.

This can be a decent option. You can get a small sum of money in your pocket. That eyesore-of-a-vehicle that has been sitting in your driveway, leaking oil, and causing neighborhood curmudgeons great displeasure, can be hauled away. However, there happens to be an option superior to that of part salvaging.

The little-known yet most responsible way to dispose of an old vehicle:  Recycling.

I have to confess, this is quite the novel concept to me. You can actually recycle your vehicle in whole. Essentially, it can be stripped down, shredded, and reusable parts can be sorted and distributed. Cars rank number one, annually, when it comes to recycled products in the world. Interesting, huh?

Passenger vehicles are composed of a variety of recyclable materials.

Cars consist of a variety of materials that can be effectively recycled. SellMax a scrap car service in Oceanside, was kind enough to provide me with a material breakdown of the average passenger vehicle they acquire. Main materials are as follows:

  • ferrous metal- 68 percent
  • plastic- 9 percent
  • non-ferrous metals- 9 percent; glass- 3 percent
  • tires- 3 percent
  • fluids- 2 percent
  • rubber- 2 percent
  • electrical parts 1 percent

I had the pleasure of speaking to a local car recycler in Salt Lake City and they affirmed that steel and iron, the ‘ferrous metal’ category, are the prime components of a passenger vehicle. Steel mills purchase shredded ferrous materials from scrappers. Usually, about 90 percent of the steel and iron that a vehicle was composed of are recycled. The fascinating thing about steel is that it is 100 percent recyclable. Essentially, it can be recycled again and again without its quality being compromised.

Glass is another material that is 100 percent recyclable. It is one of the most sustainable materials on earth. Like steel, it can be melted down, repeatedly, without its quality being reduced.

Tires are another component that can be recycled and reused for many purposes, such as gravel substitute, playground flooring, and garden mulch, to name a few. Check out this article at nerc.org for additional uses and more details. One caveat with recycling tires is that they’re a significant source of micro plastic pollution. The good news is that we are coming out with better ways to recycle tires often. For instance, Katherine Gallagher of Treehugger states, “As recently as 2020, a team of chemists at McMaster University discovered a way to break down the rubber used in car tires to turn them into new ones. This innovative method, which consists of dissolving the polymeric oils by separating the sulfur-to-sulfur bond in the tires, is a promising step for the future of recycling.”

Recycling car materials can be beneficial in even more ways than you’d think

The environment considerably benefits from recycling of a variety of materials that make up passenger vehicles. According to the EPA, recycling metal uses about 74 percent less energy than making new steel. Recycling of rubber tires reduces dumping of worn tires in landfills, lakes, and other undesirable locations, per Recycled Rubber Facts. More than 90 percent of tires are being recycled and reused each year. As a result, large amounts of energy are saved, and greenhouse gas emissions are reduced.

The Automotive Recycler’s Association (ARA) has estimated that 24 million gallons of motor oil, 8 million gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel, 8 million gallons of engine coolant, and 5 million gallons of windshield washer fluid are collected annually, resulting in a reduction of air and water pollution.

Another favorable aspect of vehicle recycling is the positive impact it has on our economy. Additional data produced by the ARA asserts that the auto recycling industry employs more than 140,000 US workers at more than 9,000 locations around the country.

The takeaway…

It’s probably safe to say that the statistics clearly support the argument that vehicle recycling is the best way to dispose of an old car. The future of our environment looks a bit more promising if we consider the fact that nearly 12 million cars are recycled in the US each year. We can each do our part. We can continue to reduce, reuse, and recycle. And when the time comes to retire our aged vehicles, we can choose the option to recycle knowing that we have chosen the most environmentally responsible option that will, in fact, make a difference.

You can support Recycle Utah while also recycling your old car by participating in our Donate Your Car program. We partner with a local car recycler, Tear-A-Part Auto, who responsibly reuses/recycles vehicle materials and provides Recycle Utah a cash donation for your vehicle. Visit Recycle Utah’s Donate Your Car page for more information on our program.

By Gabe Vargas

Bio: Gabe is a master’s student at UCSD who is always looking for ways to better the environment. He has a knack for taking complicated subjects and breaking them down into easily understood concepts. While not advocating for the environment he enjoys going on runs and surfing the San Diego Beaches.

Yes! Our Green Choices Really Do Matter

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So, you think your individual sustainable choices won’t really have an impact on climate change? Actually, research shows they do. According to Robert Frank, author of “Putting Peer Pressure to Work” (2020), our voluntary environmental actions are significant for two reasons. First, they have the power to shift how the people around us behave. People who see you using reusable shopping bags may consider doing the same. Second, and perhaps more importantly, our sustainable choices make us much more likely to vote greener and support large-scale policies needed to slow climate change.

Here are some highly visible green choices you can make, model, and have conversations about:

  1. Recycle well and help others do the same at the curb and the recycling center. Keep in mind recycling errors can contaminate portions of otherwise recyclable material.
  2. Walk and cycle to travel around your community; this may inspire drivers to ditch their cars and do likewise.
  3. Participate in community clean-ups in a group or by yourself. Rent grabbers and supplies from Recycle Utah! Removing litter helps keep storm water clean. Others may notice how nice trash-free roadsides look and participate.
  4. Participate in activities, attend events, and join organizations that advocate for climate change solutions. Go public by wearing their clothing and using their swag.
  5. Keep up with information about our climate crisis. Make some sustainable choices and get passionate!

By Bev Harrison

Thinking About Going Electric?

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You’re thinking about buying an electric vehicle as our future moves this way.  But the choices are overwhelming, cost is high and charging situation is precarious. First of all, congratulations for even thinking about it. If you need a new smart phone, would you consider buying an I-5? It’s a change we all need to grasp whether we’re in the car-buying market, or not. And the good news is that prices are slowly decreasing and battery charge ranges, charger sites and style options (including AW drive) are increasing.

Electric vehicles (EV) are fast, fun, require little maintenance and emit no tailpipe emissions. Numerous auto manufacturers now offer them with more on the horizon. While the allure is exciting, it’s important to have a charging plan. Charging at home may require an upgrade to a 220 volt outlet – and where else are chargers in town or close to work?

The price range is $30,000 – $100,000, but the federal government offers a $7,500 tax credit (for most models). Long-term thinking is key, however, as EV’s are cheaper to own. Considering gasoline, oil changes and maintenance, a Consumer Reports study found the average EV driver will spend 50-60% less than a gas-vehicle owner.  Additionally, there’s lower life-cycle emissions which will further improve as the electric grid adds renewable power. If a full EV isn’t possible right now, consider a plug-in hybrid or e-bike as a stepping stone! It could be the ideal solution for short commutes, work, and errands.

By Mary Closser

Household Hazardous Waste

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You can’t throw a can of antifreeze in the recycling, but the trash isn’t fit for it either. So, how do you dispose of hazardous products?

Notable hazardous household items are herbicides, pesticides, and oil. The average household in the U.S. contains around 3 to 10 gallons of hazardous material. Do not pour hazardous materials in the sink, on the ground, or put in a dumpster. These materials can contaminate soil, affect water treatment plants, and emit harmful chemicals. Though these chemicals may not be notably harmful in small amounts, accumulating exposure is a serious problem.

It is important to prioritize the management of harmful materials. The optimal choice to avoid these negative consequences is to find a natural alternative. If your car uses conventional oil, look into switching to synthetic and increasing intervals between service appointments. If you are unable to make this switch, be conscious of handling instructions on the label. For latex paints, add kitty litter or sawdust to the container to let it dry out and put it in the garbage. Using products entirely prevents chemicals from seeping into waterways. If some of the product remains, keep it in its original packaging with all labels intact. From here, collect the items in a thick plastic bag to prevent leaks and take it to the 3 Mile Canyon Landfill for proper management. And come to our free Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on Saturday, April 30, 2022 at the Canyons Cabriolet parking lot!

By Lauren Allen

Our 52nd Earth Day

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Our 52nd Earth Day is approaching, and we are reminded to reflect on our relationship with nature and implement practices to respect and appreciate our natural home. How did Earth Day become such an iconic day celebrated for over 50 years by more than a billion people in 192 countries?

The first Earth Day was conceived in 1970 after decades of environmental disasters and unchecked pollutants ran rampant across the country. Eight years earlier, in 1962, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring mobilized a modern environmental movement by describing the connection between environmental health and public health and spurred environmental legislation in America. In 1969, the Santa Barbara Oil Spill polluted California’s pristine beaches and ignited Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson to rally a group of college activists to assist in creating the first Earth Day.

On April 22nd, 1970, the first Earth Day became the largest demonstration by that time with over 20 million people organizing to advocate against environmental ignorance. Months later, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanography Atmospheric Association were created, setting off a wave of environmental protection policy and reform.

So, how can we celebrate the 52nd Earth Day with a modern perspective of environmental justice and the climate emergency? (1.) Educate yourself on environmental issues and the communities that are most impacted by them. (2.) Donate and get involved with organizations focused on environmental justice. (3.) Write to your legislators and vote to enact environmental and social change. (4.) Implement sustainability into your everyday lifestyle!

By Addison Marr

Growing Food at Home

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Spring is officially here! It’s time to pull out your gardening equipment and prep those planters. Growing your own produce is a great way to obtain natural, fresh fruits and vegetables, while also avoiding the food miles accompanying most grocery store produce. 8% of an average American’s carbon footprint is from food, with more than a quarter of that coming from the transportation of food. An ambitious gardener that replaces 20% of store-bought food with produce from their garden can reduce their carbon footprint by about 68 lbs of CO2 per year!

Another sustainable gardening practice includes planting pollinator-friendly plants, like cornflower, milkweed, and daisies. Pollinators are vital for the creation and maintenance of the habitats many animals rely on for food and shelter, including us! Approximately 35% of the food and fiber grown throughout the world depends on pollinators. By introducing pollinator-friendly plants into your garden, you can create a thriving, diverse environment.

Support the health of pollinators and yourself by cutting out toxic synthetic fertilizers. These fertilizers contribute very little to the ecosystem and structure of your soil, causing more harm than good. There are high levels of nitrates and nitrites in synthetic fertilizer that contaminate surface water through runoff, as well as decrease the fertility of your soil. Opt for organic fertilizers that are more sustainable and enrich your soil. Consider the health of the environment when gardening to create an area that is beneficial for you and the surrounding ecosystem!

By Anna Duffy