Newsflash: Turned in Cash for Clunkers cars will get recycled
Not every car becomes a flower bed when it dies. Now that the somewhat confusing Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) program – also known as Cash for Clunkers – is about to start, the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) is reminding people what happens to the clunkers that will be turned in. The ARA says that the CARS clunkers will be processed: "according to the rules set forth under the CARS program to achieve the highest of environmental standards. With protecting the environment being a major component in this legislation, recycling these vehicles is the next logical step."
This means that some parts will be reused, some will be melted down and turned into new parts and some will be trashed. Not that this is news of any sort. In 2007 and 2008, the United States Council for Automotive Research (USCAR) said that over 95 percent of vehicles are recycled at the end of life and that 84 percent of the materials in those cars (by weight) is recycled. ARA adds that the expected increase in used car parts in the coming months means that, "the availability of recycled parts to keep other vehicles operable is secured."
[Source: Automotive Recyclers Association]
Photo by sashafatcat. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.
PRESS RELEASE:
With CARS in Effect, Where Do the Cars Go?
Professional Automotive Recyclers Stand Ready to Process 'CARS' Trade-in Vehicles
MANASSAS, Va., July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- With automobile dealerships around the country heavily marketing to the consumer the benefits of the "clunker" trade-in under the federal government "Car Allowance Rebate System" (CARS) program in hopes to boost sales, there may be some question as to what happens to those tens of thousands of vehicles that are expected to be received for new, more environmentally efficient ones. Consumers and dealerships can rest assured that professional automotive recyclers throughout the United States are poised and ready to process those vehicles, and handle them according to the rules set forth under the CARS program to achieve the highest of environmental standards. With protecting the environment being a major component in this legislation, recycling these vehicles is the next logical step.
The automotive recycling industry is dedicated to the efficient removal and reuse of "green" automotive parts, and the proper recycling of inoperable motor vehicles. With strong participation in best-in-class programs such as the Certified Automotive Recycler program and other partnerships, members of the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) provide consumers with quality, low-cost alternatives for vehicle replacement parts, while preserving our environment for a "greener" tomorrow.
"ARA-member automotive recyclers stand ready to maximize the recycled parts, reuse in an environmentally sound way and get the vehicle through to the scrap process efficiently and effectively," says Michael Wilson, ARA executive vice president. "ARA members have access to the most current environmental regulations, as required by the Environmental Protection Agency and other local and state agencies, and we encourage members to uphold, and even surpass, those standards while processing retired cars. Furthermore, our members will provide the best possible service to all parties - peace of mind for the consumer trading in a car, speed of service to the dealership requiring help with vehicle disposal, and excellence in customer service to potential buyers of recycled parts - all the way to processing the vehicle for scrap."
Not all Americans can afford a new vehicle even with CARS benefits. With trade-ins processed through professional automotive recyclers, the availability of recycled parts to keep other vehicles operable is secured. American consumers and automobile repair businesses purchase these quality recycled vehicle components every day to keep vehicles running. They rely on parts from recycled vehicles because of their substantial savings in reduced repair costs and lower insurance premiums, savings from the purchase of a replacement vehicle, and also for the strong environmental benefits, including the conservation of natural resources that would otherwise be used to make new replacement parts.
The industry, predominantly comprised of small business facilities, responds to the economic and environmental challenge of recycling these vehicles. Rather than merely crushing wrecked, abandoned, or disabled automobiles, today's auto recycler maximizes a car's true market value, and gives new life through the reuse of parts to other vehicles that might otherwise be inoperable.
Established in 1943, the Automotive Recyclers Association ("ARA") represents over 4,500 auto recycling facilities in the United States and fourteen other countries around the world. To locate professional automotive recyclers to help dealerships dispose of trade-ins or from whom consumers can purchase recycled parts, ARA provides an online membership directory at www.a-r-a.org.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kumar 10:46AM (7/13/2009)
Sounds like there's money to be made in the auto 'recycling' business.
Unless the government lays out a per-vehicle price for each recycler to pay, then it's more or less a double bailout.
Anyone else thing the feds will miss a good opportunity to recoup some of the clunker funding simply by selling the cars to recyclers?
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Justin Woodcock 11:47AM (7/13/2009)
Good to see the ARA setting the record straight regarding this new initiative - a lot of news articles have erroneously suggested that the cars would need to be destroyed, in fact this mis-understanding seems to originate from the FAQ on CARS' own website - http://www.cars.gov/fraud-faq.html - if the department running the scheme doesn't understand it, what chance do the rest of us have ? :)
Jordan 12:35PM (7/13/2009)
Car dealers are increasing prices for good MPG cars because of the increased demand (artificial) from the cash for clunkers program. Not being critical, but it is basic supply/demand economics.
With the price increases, some markets will will give consumers no net benefit. It is poorly written legislation.
I don't qualify for cash for clunkers because my car already gets good gas mileage. But my dad swears by the car buying process here:
http://tinyurl.com/laub3m
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brian 2:17PM (7/13/2009)
"Car dealers are increasing prices for good MPG cars because of the increased demand"
What increased demand? Aside from Hyundai the program is not being used yet.
Unfortunately CARS does not excuse you from being a smart consumer. If the dealer will not give you the price you want you are free to get up and leave.
diffrunt 7:45PM (7/13/2009)
I used to be a recycler,so it will be interesting to know how this will actually work.
Reply