Have you ever wondered what happens to your tyres after your car is scrapped? This blog will unpack how Authorised Treatment Facilities – like us at A&L – break down and recycle old car tyres and why proper disposal of car tyres is so important for the health of our environment.

1) Removal

When you scrap your car, the tyres are typically removed before the car is dismantled. They can be removed by hand or by using equipment like hydraulic lifts and tyre changers. The tyres are then inspected to see if they are still in usable condition. If the tyres are worn but still in relatively good condition, they can be retread and reused.

2) Shredding and Granulation

The tyres that are too damaged for retreading or resale are then shredded into small pieces and further granulated to separate the rubber, steel and fabric materials. These materials are then sorted based on their properties and recycled.

3) Recycling

Recycled tyre materials can be used for a wide variety of products. For example, tyres that are shredded into fine rubber particles (called ‘crumb rubber’), can be used in making playground surfaces and sports tracks or melted down to make rubber products like mats and seals. Crumb rubber is also sometimes mixed with asphalt and used to create more durable road surfaces.  

In some cases, old tyres can be used as a fuel source for cement kilns and power plants because of their high energy content. This process involves burning the tyres in controlled conditions to produce heat and electricity. While this process recovers energy, it must be done in regulated, high-temperature furnaces to help minimise the harmful substances released.

Why Is Proper Tyre Recycling Important?

While the disposal of car tyres may seem like a small part of scrapping a vehicle, proper recycling of tyres is crucial for protecting the environment. Tyres are made from materials that don’t break down easily in the environment, so when dumped illegally in landfills or outdoor areas and not disposed of properly, they can create significant environmental issues like fires and pollution.

This is why when you scrap your car, it’s important to make sure that the tyres are handled responsibly by professionals at an Authorised Treatment Facility – like us at A&L.

If you have any questions about our tyre recycling process or if you are looking for a quote price for your scrap car, reach out and contact A&L Recycling today. 

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When your car has reached the end of its lifespan, vehicle scrapping offers an easy solution. However, many car owners are influenced by misconceptions that make the scrap process seem daunting and risky. In reality, choosing to scrap your car is a simple, profitable and eco-friendly decision.

Let’s take a look at 5 common car recycling myths and set the record straight about vehicle scrapping.

1. Scraping a Car Is Not Environmentally Friendly

One of the biggest misconceptions about car scrapping is that it is not environmentally friendly. This view likely comes from the outdated image of scrapped cars piled up in junkyards or in landfills – which is not the case today!

Modern car scrapping is a sustainable process where every part of the car is stripped and either reused, resold or recycled, minimising waste and the need for new resources. Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs) follow strict environmental guidelines when scrapping cars to ensure that they are dismantled with care and any hazardous materials are removed and safely disposed of.

So, when scrapped properly, your car can actually contribute to a healthier, more sustainable environment!

2. You Must Deliver Your Car to the Scrapyard

This is not always the case – many scrappers actually offer free collection from your location (we do at A&L!).  This service resolves the issues you may be facing if your car cannot be driven due to mechanical or legal issues, like an MOT failure.  

3. You Can Scrap Your Car With Any Service Provider

This is not true. If you are in the UK, you legally must send your car to an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF). Using an unauthorised facility that isn’t fully licensed or registered is not only illegal but can be very damaging to the environment – so be careful of who you do business with!

If anyone is offering you cash for your scrap car or will not provide you with a formal certificate of disposal, they are most likely an unauthorised scrapper and you should steer clear!

4. Only Old Cars Can Be Scrapped

There are many reasons why someone may want to scrap their car other than its age.  For example, if it has failed its MOT, is uneconomical to repair or even if it’s just unwanted, it is a candidate for scrapping. In fact, modern cars have more valuable parts and materials meaning that you can receive an even higher value for your scrap car if it’s relatively new!

5. Scrapping a Car Is Not Profitable

Another common misconception is that scrapping a car is not profitable, which is not necessarily true. Although the value of a scrap car is usually lower than the value of a new car, you can still receive a good amount of money for your scrap vehicle – or at least more than you would get if it’s sat unused on your drive!

The price you get for your scrap depends on a range of factors like the car’s make, model, age and condition, the value of scrap metal and demand for parts at the time.

If this blog has cleared the doubt from your mind about vehicle scrapping, contact us at A&L Vehicle Recycling today for a free and accurate instant scrap car quote!

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