How to Recycle Plastic Machinery on Vehicles

As the concept of "going green" continues to influence culture, people are finding new and different ways to lessen the impact of their daily lives on the environment. As has been the case since the environmental movement began, recycling is a key part of this social change. If you have a vehicle you plan to send to the junkyard, you can recycle its plastic machinery, such as bumpers, air conditioner vents and gas caps, just as you would any other plastic item.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver

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Instructions

• 1

  Remove the parts of the car you wish to recycle from the car itself. For some parts, such as heating and cooling vents, this will involving applying a bit of pressure and "popping" the part out. If you want to remove the lid of the car's middle console, on the other hand, you may need to make use of a screwdriver.

• 2

  Detach any non-plastic components, such as screws or bolts from the piece you have extracted from the vehicle. Examine the removed part and look for a stamped code (1 through 7). Separate the removed pieces into categories reflecting these markings; this will ease the process of sorting and having the material accepted at the recycling center.

• 3

  List intact used car parts on a classifieds website if you opt to "recycle" allowing others to make use of them. Although local recycling centers can melt many car plastic just as they would plastic from any other source, giving these parts to those who need them will give your used parts more immediate new life.

• 4

  Break down large parts into small pieces. If, for example, you have a car bumper, break it in half or quarter. This will not only help you to fit the item inside the recycling bin, but will also make it easier for staff at the recycling center to deal with it once it arrives.