When a car reaches the end of its life, its journey doesn’t stop at the scrapyard. Modern vehicle recycling is a highly efficient, environmentally focused process that transforms old materials into valuable new resources. At MotorGreen, every vehicle that comes through our yard is safely depolluted, dismantled, and sorted so that as much material as possible can be reused or recycled. Here’s a look at where key materials from a scrapped vehicle actually go.
Aluminium = New Metal Products
Aluminium is one of the most valuable and recyclable materials in a car. It’s found in wheels, engine components, body panels, suspensions, and more. Once removed, aluminium is cleaned, shredded, and melted down. The best part? Aluminium can be recycled endlessly without losing its quality. The energy savings are significant, too. Recycling aluminium uses up to 95% less energy than producing it from raw materials.
After processing, this recycled aluminium is used to manufacture a huge variety of items such as:
New car parts
Construction materials
Drink cans
Household goods
Aviation parts
So, when a car is recycled, its aluminium often reappears in products we use every day.
Copper = Wiring, Electronics & Industrial Materials
Copper is another essential material within a vehicle, mainly found in wiring looms, motors, alternators, and electrical systems. Copper is highly conductive, durable, and in constant demand, especially with the growth of electric and hybrid vehicles. After a car is dismantled, copper wiring and components are separated, stripped, and granulated. The recycled copper is then refined and returned to the manufacturing cycle.
Recycled copper often becomes:
Electrical wiring
Electronics and circuit boards
Power infrastructure
Renewable energy systems (like solar and wind components)
Because mining copper is energy-intensive and environmentally disruptive, recycling it greatly reduces CO₂ emissions and helps conserve natural resources.
Rubber = Tyres, Seals & More
Rubber is one of the most widely reused materials from end-of-life vehicles. Once a car reaches the yard, the tyres are removed, inspected, and separated based on condition. Depending on their condition, tyres can be reused, retreaded, or shredded into rubber crumb.
Rubber crumb is then turned into:
Sports surfaces
Playground flooring
Road materials
Shock-absorption layers
Sound barriers and acoustic insulation materials
Every tyre recycled prevents significant waste and keeps harmful rubber materials out of the environment.
Fluids = Safely Removed, Cleaned & Recycled
Every vehicle contains several fluids that must be handled with specialist equipment and strict environmental care. Once a car enters the depollution stage, all fluids, including brake fluid, antifreeze/coolant, fuel, and engine oil, are safely drained before any dismantling begins.
These fluids can cause serious environmental harm if not handled correctly. By separating and recycling them, we prevent soil and water pollution, reduce hazardous waste, and ensure that valuable chemicals are captured and reused rather than being burned or discarded.
Steel = Construction, Cars & Infrastructure
Steel makes up a large portion of a vehicle’s weight. Like aluminium, it can be recycled repeatedly without losing its strength. Once separated and cleaned, steel is melted and reformed.
Recycled steel is commonly used for:
New vehicle manufacturing
Reinforced concrete
Buildings and bridges
Industrial equipment
Recycling steel saves around 70–75% of the energy needed for new steel production, reducing emissions and supporting the circular economy.
Plastics = Reprocessed Into New Products
Cars contain a surprising amount of plastic, from bumpers and dashboards to fluid containers, trims, and interior components. During dismantling, these plastic parts are removed and sold on to specialist recycling partners. From there, the plastics are cleaned, processed, and broken down so they can be transformed into new raw materials.
Reprocessed automotive plastics often become:
New car components
Packaging materials
Construction products
Furniture
Household items
Recycling plastics from cars keeps tonnes of material out of landfill and significantly reduces the need for new plastic production.
Lead-Acid Batteries = Safely Recycled for a Second Life
Lead-acid batteries are an essential component of most vehicles, but they contain hazardous materials like lead and corrosive acid. At the end of a vehicle’s life, these batteries are carefully removed and sent to specialist recycling facilities.
There, the lead is extracted and refined for use in new batteries, the acid is neutralised or repurposed, and the plastic casing is cleaned and reprocessed. By recycling lead-acid batteries responsibly, we prevent harmful chemicals from entering the environment, reduce the need for new raw materials, and give these components a second life in new batteries and industrial applications.
Why It Matters
Every car we recycle prevents valuable materials from going to waste. Instead of ending up in a landfill, those materials are returned to the manufacturing cycle, saving energy, reducing CO₂ emissions, and supporting sustainable industries.
At MotorGreen, we’re proud to play a vital role in keeping resources in use and helping build a greener, more circular future.