For most car owners in Western Australia, the transaction ends the moment our tow truck pulls away. The cash is in your hand, the unwanted vehicle is finally gone from your driveway, and a sense of relief sets in. But have you ever paused and wondered what happens next? Where does your old, damaged, or scrap car actually go?
Many people imagine a desolate scrap heap, where cars are simply flattened into cubes and left to rust. The reality, at least for a professional and environmentally conscious operator, is far more sophisticated and sustainable. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, WA Car Removal has perfected a meticulous process that ensures every vehicle we collect embarks on a final, responsible journey.
This is the story of that journey—a multi-stage process of recycling and renewal that benefits both the economy and the environment of Western Australia.
Stage 1: Arrival and Meticulous De-Pollution
Once your vehicle arrives at our dedicated facility, it doesn’t go straight to the crusher. The first and most critical step is a thorough assessment and de-pollution process. This is where our expertise is immediately put to work.
Our trained technicians first conduct a triage, determining which parts of the car are salvageable and which are destined for raw material recycling. Following this assessment, the vehicle enters our de-pollution bay. This is a non-negotiable step designed to protect the environment from the hazardous materials present in every car.
This crucial process involves:
- Draining All Fluids: Engine oil, coolant, brake and transmission fluid, and any remaining petrol or diesel are carefully drained into sealed, designated containers. These fluids are then sent to specialised facilities for safe disposal or recycling.
- Removing the Battery: Car batteries contain lead and corrosive acid, which are highly toxic to the environment. We safely remove them to be sent for specialist recycling, where the lead, plastic, and acid are recovered.
- De-gassing the Air Conditioning: The refrigerants (CFCs or HFCs) in a car’s air conditioning system are potent greenhouse gases. We use specific equipment to safely capture these gases, preventing them from escaping into the atmosphere.
- Removing Mercury Switches: Older vehicles often contain small switches that use mercury, another highly toxic substance. These are located and removed to ensure they don’t contaminate the metal recycling stream.
Only after a car has been fully de-polluted and rendered environmentally safe can it move to the next stage.
Stage 2: The Harvest – Giving Parts a Second Life
This is where the principle of “Reuse” comes into play. A car that no longer runs is often full of valuable, perfectly functional components. Based on the initial assessment, our team systematically dismantles the vehicle, harvesting every part that can be given a second life.
Our 15+ years of experience in the WA market give us an unparalleled understanding of which parts are in demand. We salvage a wide array of components, including:
- Mechanical Parts: Engines, transmissions, alternators, radiators, and starter motors.
- Body Parts: Doors, bonnets, bumpers, and side mirrors in good condition.
- Electronics: Infotainment systems, ECUs, and instrument clusters.
- Valuable Metals: The catalytic converter is particularly valuable as it contains precious metals like platinum, palladium, and rhodium, which are recovered and refined.
- Tyres and Rims: Usable tyres are sold on the second-hand market, while worn ones are sent to be processed into products like playground flooring or road base.
This harvesting process is a cornerstone of the circular economy. It provides local Perth mechanics and car owners with access to affordable, quality-tested parts, reducing the cost of vehicle maintenance across the community. Furthermore, reusing parts significantly reduces the carbon emissions and raw materials required to manufacture new ones. The value we recover from these parts is factored directly into the competitive cash offer you receive, ensuring you get the maximum price for your vehicle.
Stage 3: The Final Transformation – Metal and Material Recycling
Once the car has been de-polluted and all salvageable parts have been removed, only the bare metal shell, or “hulk,” remains. This shell is now ready for its final transformation.
The hulk is fed into a massive industrial shredder, which tears it into small, fist-sized pieces of metal in a matter of seconds. As these pieces exit the shredder, they pass through a powerful system of magnets and separators.
- Ferrous Metals (Iron and Steel): Large magnets pull all the steel and iron fragments from the mix. This is the largest portion of the car by weight.
- Non-Ferrous Metals: Other systems separate valuable non-ferrous metals like aluminium, copper, and zinc.
- Auto Shredder Residue (ASR): The remaining material—bits of plastic, foam, glass, and fabric—is collected separately. Advances in technology are continuously improving how much of this ASR can also be recycled.
The separated metals are now considered clean, raw commodities. They are bundled and sold to smelters and foundries, where they will be melted down and reformed. That steel from your old Ford Falcon could become reinforcing bars in a new Perth skyscraper, and the aluminium from your Toyota Camry might be used to create new drink cans or even parts for the next generation of vehicles.
A Responsible End, A New Beginning
So, when you sell your car to WA Car Removal, you’re doing more than just clearing space and getting instant cash. You are initiating a chain of events that is environmentally responsible, economically beneficial, and incredibly efficient. You are ensuring that hazardous materials are managed safely and that valuable resources are recovered and reused.
Your car’s journey doesn’t end in a scrap heap. It ends with its components being reborn, contributing to a greener, more sustainable Western Australia.
Ready to make a financially smart and environmentally sound choice? Contact WA Car Removal today and let us give your old car a final, meaningful journey
