On average, every vehicle is comprised of a significant amount of plastic. Plastic has replaced a lot of the steel that was once in cars, and aluminum has replaced a lot of the steel parts too. So, what is it exactly that the salvage yards are after if they cannot recycle a lot of steel from junk cars? To understand why junk cars are still for sale to salvage yards, you have to understand more about how these vehicles are recycled by salvage yards now versus how they once were salvaged when they were mostly steel.
Percentage of Plastic
In the U.S., cars are now, on average, 7.6% plastic. The percentage of plastic in cars in Europe is even higher. What do salvage yards do with that much plastic? It should not surprise you that if the salvage yards cannot hock the plastic parts as used auto parts for use in other vehicles, the plastic is recycled by shipping it off to plastic recycling plants. When plastic from cars is shipped off by the ton, the salvage yard can get a good lump sum for it.
Percentage of Aluminum
Likewise, aluminum has replaced things like hub caps, fenders, and door handles. The amount of aluminum in cars is now almost 9-10%. When salvage yards strip down junk cars for parts, the aluminum parts are every bit as recyclable as pop cans. If the parts are not resold, they garner more cash for the salvage yards in the form of recycled aluminum.
Percentage of Steel
While plastic and aluminum are valuable amounts in modern cars and are even more easily recycled than the rest of the vehicles' parts, cars are still mostly steel. Steel parts, if not sold off, are shipped by the ton to steel factories, where they will be melted down, refined, and made into new cars. Any way you cut the tailpipe on your old vehicle, the salvage yard can recycle your vehicle and make a decent amount of money doing so.
Other Bits of Materials Worth Recycling From Cars
Now that cars also have computers in their dashes and under their hoods, there are computer chips involved. Computer chips have gold and silver in them. These very small quantities of precious metals are harvested and reused as well, sold to gold and silver recycling companies or to jewelers who can melt these metals down and make jewelry from them.
Contact a company like Pick-A-Part Jalopy Jungle today to learn more.