When you have a car you are looking to sell, Chicago has many options for you, but only one can claim to be the most environmentally friendly choice. That location is Auto Parts City. Our signature recycling program has earned us the title of “Greenest Facility in the Country,” and we work hard every day to ensure we are functioning in a way that protects our environment for the future. In fact, since the 1930s we have brought revolutionary ideas to the junk car industry, ensuring more of our vehicles are recycled and reused than ever before. Here is a closer look at our extensive, signature auto recycling program.
Draining and Recycling Fluids
The fluids from modern vehicles are extremely dangerous for the environment. In most recycling facilitys, the fluids stay in the vehicle. When it rains, the water soaks up much of those fluids and sends them into the local waterways and groundwater. This is not the case at Auto Parts City.
When a vehicle comes to our lot for recycling, we drain it of all fluids. All gas, oil, antifreeze, windshield washer fluid and other fluids are drained and filtered in a recycling system located underneath our shop. Those that are still in good condition are recycled, sold to others who can put them to use. We also reuse them in house to fuel our own heaters, further reducing our carbon footprint.
Stormwater and Environmental Controls to Protect the Local Environment
Even with our fluid recycling program, there may still be some trace fluids that remain on vehicles. We do not want that to end up in the local waterways. To protect from this, we have created a stormwater treatment system. We filter all water runoff from rainfall three times before sending it two one of the two ponds or the meadow that we created on our property. This means the water is clean and ready to be used by local wildlife and plants.
Recycle Car Parts Effectively
Next, we look at the car to determine what parts are still in good, working order. Some cars with many usable parts are sent to our Pick a Part Junkyard for people to salvage parts on their own. Others are removed from the vehicles, cleaned and sold at Auto Parts City. This provides local mechanics, dealerships and auto repair shops to find affordable parts for their own needs.
Recycle Metal and Glass
Finally, any metal and glass that is not pulled out when we are salvaging parts is sorted and sold. Before selling, we will remove all mercury, placing it in sealed buckets and sending it to a state approved recycling center. The rest of the metal and glass is sorted and recycled to be put into new cars that are being built. Nothing is left to waste when we recycle car parts!
Learn More About our Award Winning Auto Recycling Program
Auto Parts City follows all of the Best Management Practices set forth by the government, and then we exceed those regulations and expectations. If you are looking for a place to recycle car parts and want to know that you are truly doing everything possible to protect the local environment, trust our auto recycling center. We’re conveniently located near Chicago to serve Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. Stop in today to sell your used or junk vehicle at a local recycling facility you can be excited about!
