“The automotive recycling industry is a vital, market-driven industry with more than $32 billion in sales and plays a crucial role in the efficient, environmentally responsible recycling of end-of-life vehicles. It employes over 140,000 people in more that 9000 location in the US.” (Automotive Recycling Industry Alliance Report, 2011).

The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) estimates that each year the industry collects and reuses or recycles:
- 100.8 million gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel,
- 24 million gallons of motor oil,
- 8 million gallons of engine coolant,
- 4.5 million gallons of windshield washer fluid and
- 96% of all lead aid batteries.

In 2010 over 95% of vehicles retired from use were recycled. Every year, end-of-life vehicles produce over 14 million tons of steel to be used and recycled. 4,009,621 mercury switches have been removed from cars.

Green recycled auto parts are kind to the Earth and to your bottom line. When a vehicle has become inoperable, auto recyclers dismantle the vehicle and remove parts that are still good and usable. These recycled auto parts can be 30%-70% less costly than new parts, and decrease the demands placed on the planet. Recycling just one ton of steel conserves 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,400 pounds of coal, and 120 pounds of limestone.

When you opt to buy GREEN, you also save our environment from the harmful side effects of mining, such as energy consumption, water pollution, and the release of methane gas. (This article written by Ginny Whelan in the Auto Recycler’s Tool Box)

We all know how important it is to keep America clean. Here are some helpful household tips from City of Glendale:

Please use the sage green recycling container ONLY for the items designated as acceptable materials in the recycling program. Items placed in the recycling container should not be bagged. Items should be relatively clean, dry and empty. Lids and labels do not need to be removed.

What can I place in my sage green recycling container?

Plastics 1-7
Glendale last year expanded its recycling program to accept more plastics. Previously, only plastics 1 and 2 (ex: water bottles) could be thrown in Glendale recycling bins. But as of April 4, 2011, the city began accepting plastics 3 – 7 as well. This includes all hard plastic containers such as:

• beverage cups
• margarine tubs
• sour cream
• plastic food packaging
• yogurt containers

Residents should check the bottom of plastics for a symbol that displays the numbers 1-7. Styrofoam and plastic bags are not part of the program and must be kept out of recycle bins. (Read the press release – click here.)

For photo illustrations and more details on what plastics are allowed, please click here.

Aluminum cans
Corrugated cardboard boxes, dry food boxes (cereal, cracker), empty paper towel tubes, empty pizza boxes (with minimal residue)
• Cardboard boxes should be cut up or broken down to fit better in the container.
• Remove waxy lining from cereal/ cake boxes.

All newspaper and inserts

All magazines and telephone books

Food cans that hold soup, vegetables, pet food, tuna. Empty aerosol cans are accepted
• Aerosol cans MUST be empty
• No propane tanks

Paper
White and colored paper, computer paper, junk mail, file folders, paper grocery bags, windowed envelopes
• No hardbound books

No styrofoam.

The state of California has launched a campaign informing consumers that they don’t need to change their vehicle’s oil every 3,000 miles, wasting millions of gallons of oil a year. And, not only does it waste oil, it also means the consumer is spending money needlessly (especially for those who have it done vs. doing it themselves).

A spokesman for the California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery, Mark Oldfield states that, “survey data found that nearly half of drivers are still changing their oil at 3,000 miles or even sooner,” despite manufacturers suggested 7,500- to 10,000-mile intervals. The agency said that changing the oil at the suggested intervals will be good for the environment and will not hurt the longevity or reliability of the vehicle. What made sense when vehicles had cast iron block engines with cast-iron pistons, is no longer applicable for today’s engines.

A Ford spokesman, Richard Truett, notes that Ford Motor Co. recommends oil changes for most new vehicles at 10,000 miles and adds that, “Our new generation engines have tighter internal tolerances, which reduces the amount of carbon and other products from combustion that gets into the oil.”  For a Honda or Acura model vehicle, the indicator for the need for an oil change lights up very 5,000 – 10,000 miles and late-model BMW’s can go as high as 15,000 miles between oil changes (depending on driving conditions).  In an effort to protect themselves against future accusations of selling unnecessary maintenance services, some new car dealers have their customers who come in for an oil change sign a statement saying they understand they don’t need an oil change at that time.