More often than not, people hand their cars over to a scrap car collection service without giving the rest of the process a second thought. That is only expected to happen. Why would anyone think about a damaged car or one that has been around for years? However, it is important that you know what is being done to your car once you have left it behind.
A million cars, on average, are scrapped each year. But, each car is scrapped with equal and utmost importance and care. If proper measures are not taken, the environment can be prone to high levels of pollution. It does not only help save the environment but also helps to recycle old metal and tyres into good use.Â
Did you know that 18 million households can be powered for an entire year if recycling is done within the steel industry? Around 75% more energy is used to produce metal than recycling a metal would. Â
So, once a car has long been gone, the various processes of getting it as depolluted as possible are started and carried out.
Up We Go
The car is lifted with a crane to a facility for the vehicle de-pollution process. In this stage, any component, gas or liquid which might be harmful to the environment is taken apart. It is imperative that you take your car to an authorized treatment facility for health and safety purposes.Â
The Process
After the car has been transferred to a covered building for the de-pollution process, anything which might contaminate the environment is removed. For example, the windscreen wash and refrigerants, oils, coolants, battery acid, anti-freeze, and the fuel are removed at the spot. The batteries, as well as the switches, are removed as they might carry mercury. Further along the line, the airbags are opened, and the tyres are disposed of before crushing the vehicle.Â
Just so the fluids donât mix with any other streams of liquid within the facility, a depollution rig is connected to the car to drain all the necessary liquids. These are later on stored and sealed tight into a tank for recycling or disposal.Â
Be aware not to give your car away to any unauthorized or uncertified facility as they may drain these liquids down a line, which can be severely harmful to our water supply and food chain. This can impact nature profusely and wildlife and, of course, the health of every being.Â
However, the experts would inspect the car once more before moving onto the final step. This includes removing heavy parts of the vehicle, such as the bumpers. Then the wire harnesses, air conditioner evaporator and heater are located and removed.Â
The final stage is crushing the car flat or being sized into a cube, which helps move the crushed car to a mill or shredder. These cubes are crushed even further into fist-sized metal blocks.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it, the process of your car being scrapped down to a fist-sized chunk of metal!
West Midlands Motor Group has over 30+ years of experience in scrapping cars and vehicles and has a great relationship with the Auto Treatment Facilities(ATFs) all over the country. We make sure to dispose of your car legally and ethically while ensuring that every paperwork is being taken care of by us. After taking care of your vehicle, you will receive a certificate of destruction to confirm the scrapping. Are you interested in collaborating with us? Give us a call at 07494 866318 or visit us here for an instant quote!