For every car owner, there comes a time when they want to part ways with their once beloved car and switch to newer or better models or even an electric vehicle. If this is the situation you find yourself in, you are in the right place.
Oftentimes people think that the only way to get rid of their old car is by selling it off on the open market. While it is certainly an option that is available to you, it may not necessarily be the best one and will probably not attract a good price especially if you are looking to sell a car that is battered, too old, or lacks fuel efficiency.
In this case, you should look into how to scrap a car since this is not only the most financially viable option but can also help conserve the environment. Scrapping a car is a process that involves selling your car to a scrapyard or alternatively, removing the valuable parts of a car and selling them for parts. Generally, it is much easier and simpler to directly sell to a scrapyard since they take the necessary steps and measures to responsibly handle the scrapping process while being eco-friendly.
To help you get started, this article highlights the ways to scrap a car and be environmentally friendly so that you can do your part as a responsible citizen on the planet.
Eco-Friendly Ways To Dispose Of Your Car
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If you find yourself asking “how do I scrap my car in an eco-friendly way and make money at the same time”, you need to educate yourself regarding the different options available to you when it comes to disposing of your end of life vehicle.
Prior to disposing of your car, make sure that you have the car title certificate or vehicle registration for your car ready to go. This is a legal ownership document that contains proof of ownership of the car and lists the name and other details of the registered owner. It is used as the principal means to transfer possession of the car.
Additionally, you should also clear your car of any personal belongings and possessions, remove both the front and back license plates, and contact your insurance company to cancel your car insurance.
Below we list four main ways to dispose of your car in an eco-friendly way.
Scrap Your Car And Sell To A Scrap Yard
By far, the best way to both save money and help the environment is by scrapping your car for cash.
This process involves searching for scrap dealers in your area where you can sell your car for cash in return. Considering the increase in demand for scrapping cars, you are sure to easily find several scrap yards that are in the business of giving cash for scrap cars. Make sure that these dealers have a legal permit and abide by the rules and regulations set forth by law enforcement agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency or EPA so that you can verify if they are in compliance with environmental standards.
A quick way to take stock of how environmentally friendly a scrap yard is is by asking them about their site-specific activities and practices. This should involve what the EPA calls best management practices or BMPs and must include separate areas for dismantling, storing and cleaning vehicles, taking measures to minimize the risk of exposure to pollutants, and adopting practices to reduce and minimize the environmental effects of automotive waste such as fuel, fluids, and oils.
Ideally, you should shortlist at least three companies and get a quote from them, either online or by visiting in person. The quote for your car will depend on four main factors, which include the make, model, year, and general condition of the car. Be sure to compare with other scrap dealers before you settle to sell your car. This will ensure that you get the best price and the most bang for your buck.
Remember to ask for free towing services since most scrap yards will offer to pick up your car from your stated location free of charge. Lastly, you will either be handed cash directly or have the amount deposited in your account once you sell your car.
Scrap Your Car Yourself
If you decide against selling your car to a scrap yard, you have the option to scrap your car all by yourself.
Begin with a quick search to ascertain the monetary value of those parts of your car that can fetch you a higher price at a scrapyard. For instance, whenever you scrap a car, remember to negotiate for a higher price if the following are in good and working condition:
engine
car battery
catalytic converters
airbags
air conditioning unit
radio system
built-in GPS system
tires and rims
windows
doors
mirrors
bumper
fender
Second, when deciding on how to scrap a car yourself, you can either hire a professional or do it yourself. Getting help from a mechanic is your best bet to safely and responsibly separate the different parts of your car. If you want to do it yourself, keep in mind that this process is not only time-consuming, but also requires a fair amount of knowledge, expertise, and experience as you should know your way around a car and own the right tools to dismantle the various parts. Once the various parts of the car such as scrap metal and other components are separated, you can either sell them online using platforms such as Amazon, Craigslist, eBay Motors, or Facebook Marketplace or seek out individual buyers depending on the cash offers they make for your scrap vehicle.
When you scrap a car yourself, also keep in mind the safe removal and disposal of materials so that you don’t harm the environment. For example, pay attention to proper motor oil disposal which involves getting in touch with a disposal facility and taking the motor oil in a clean and tightly sealed container to avoid it mixing with other materials and ensuring safe transport.
Donate Your Car
Depending on the condition of your car, you might consider donating it to a well-known, credible, and registered charity. Donating to a charity is a great way to help the environment and may also help you get a tax deduction. In order to make a tax-deductible donation, make sure that the organization is registered with the IRS and has a 501(c)(3) status, which basically means that it is a charitable organization that can legally receive tax-deductible donations.
Trade-in Schemes
Some car companies operate a trade-in scheme where, subject to the condition of your car, you can trade it in for cash or bank the amount to buy your next car. This means that the car company takes the responsibility of recycling the car or reselling it. However, not all companies offer this service and those that do may have strict stipulations regarding the kinds of cars that they buy back.
Environmental Benefits Of Scrapping Your Car
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When you scrap a car for cash, you also contribute to helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint. This is achieved in three ways, as outlined below.
Following Regulatory Guidelines
First off, with the strict guidelines set forth by the EPA, scrapping cars is a process that is regulated and subject to established standards. This is consequential as scrap yards have the required infrastructure for junk vehicles and take the necessary precautionary measures to ensure that they limit the negative effects of pollutants and safely carry out all activities related to the scrapping of cars. This directly impacts the environment by helping to conserve the geography, topography, and hydrogeology of the area. It also prevents hazardous materials and toxic waste from seeping into the ground and contaminating the environment.
Enabling Recycling
When you scrap a car, you are doing a service to the environment by encouraging the recycling and therefore, the reuse of materials such as precious metals. Since scrap yards tend to use the parts and recycle them, this means that the aggregate demand for new parts will decrease, which reduces the need to dig the earth for metals and minerals, and thereby limit the harmful impact of greenhouse gas emissions that are responsible for air pollution, global warming, and climate change. This just means that scrapping cars can enable recycling by reducing the reliance on mining for raw materials.
Reducing Waste
Scrapping a car for cash also means that you reduce the overall amount of waste that ends up in landfills. Considering that landfills are a growing problem that pollutes the environment, contaminates the soil and groundwater, and harms all living things, it is essential that you play your part in protecting the environment. It also helps people buy used auto parts which are generally more affordable. Naturally, this also means a reduced need for mining companies to extract materials from the earth, which ultimately helps to conserve the environment.
How Scrapping Your Car Reduces Your Impact On The Environment
Scrapping your car can have a net effect of reducing the impact on the environment.
It helps to minimize and mitigate the release of toxic substances and waste that result in land, air, and water pollution.
It allows the conservation of non-renewable resources, such as iron and aluminum, by reducing the demand for metal extraction.
It reduces the need for energy consumption and production in the manufacturing industry by allowing recycling, resale, and reuse of auto parts.
The Bottom Line
In order to sell your junk car for cash, the optimal option is to scrap it for cash all the while ensuring that you are conscious of protecting and conserving the environment. This can be done easily by getting in touch with a dealer that handles scrap cars and verifying the steps they take to scrap a car. This way you can be assured that you have made the right choice and disposed of your car in the most eco-friendly way possible.
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