Auto Parts: Recycle, Reuse, Restore

For the DIY auto maintenence enthusiast, you will always be faced with clean up and disposal of old parts. Auto parts, no matter which one you consider, are hard to dispose of. They're usually big and fairly hefty so mere storage would be difficult. They're also not environmentally friendly in the sense that they won't just decompose if you bury them or dump them somewhere. If you want to get rid of your old and obsolete auto parts, there are a couple of easy ways to do so and be environmentally friendly while you're at it.

Calling in the Professionals

Many urban cities have local programs for handling big, non-biodegradable waste like old auto parts. Call up the Waste Management Department in your city or town to ask about the programs that they have to deal with trash like yours. Handing your old auto parts to the city often means that you'll have to leave them out on your curb on a particular day, or bring the parts yourself to a deposit center. In certain areas, there are even local trash-for-cash programs that are handled by the government to help dispose of old auto parts in as environmentally friendly a way as possible.

Speaking of trash-for-cash, you could also look for a junk yard or scrap shop nearby that buys old car parts. Such establishments usually buy old parts from people to either refurbish the item or melt down the metal component for reuse. The rates aren't very lucrative but at least you're getting something back and you're not just randomly throwing away old auto parts.

Bringing Out the Artist in You

A less explored option for handling the disposal of old auto parts is to use them as art materials. You read that right - art materials. The unusual shapes of auto parts are great for making abstract pieces, or you could add a little creativity to make something a little more structured. You could get thin or small parts to make a painting or a relief, or you could use bigger auto parts to make unconventional junk art sculptures. You'd be hard pressed to find a disposal method that's just as entertaining.

Once you're done with your auto part opus, you can then opt to sell it through a garage sale or online through sites like eBay. You just might find yourself pleasantly surprised at the response you'll get because there really is a market for junk art pieces and similar items, especially if they have a lot of aesthetic value. It's an environmentally friendly way of getting rid of auto parts that's entertaining and somewhat profitable at the same time.

There are many more ways through which you can reuse or recycle old auto parts. All it needs is a little creativity and a lot of patience. Whichever method you choose for disposing of old auto parts, you've got to agree that it's a whole lot better than just letting them sit in your garage.

Remember to dispose of old oil and other fluids responsibly. Most cities have recycling programs, or you can check with your auto parts store for services they provide. Save your old contains to use for recycling the used fluids.