If you have an old car that doesn't run anymore or is too old to drive, you may be trying to figure out what to do with it. Your best option is to send it to a scrapyard, where professionals can properly recycle it. However, you may not realize how junkyards benefit the economy and the environment. After checking out these fun facts, the idea of getting rid of your junk car might be even more appealing. 

What You Didn't Know About Junk Cars

1. Junk Cars Are the Most Recycled Items

Although many assume that newspapers and tin cans are in demand, cars account for the largest percentage of recycled materials. More than 12 million cars are recycled every year, and an additional 27 million are recovered and recycled in other parts of the world. In addition to parts that a yard can salvage, vehicles contain hundreds of pounds of scrap metal that professionals can recycle into other products. 

2. Car Recycling Reduces Oil Consumption

It's estimated that recycling junk cars saves about 85 million barrels of oil every year. Oil is used to manufacture and transport new and replacement car parts, but pulling parts off other cars eliminates the need to make them. Not to mention, proper vehicle recycling also ensures that oil and other fluids inside a junk car are properly removed. As a result, they won't end up leaching into the soil and contaminating groundwater. 

3. Car Recycling Is a Major Industry

Recycling cars is a booming business. The industry contributes about $25 billion to the U.S. economy, making it the 16th largest industry in the country. More than 100,000 people work in the industry, including those employed by approximately 7,000 car recycling centers nationwide. It's not a new industry, either, as the first recorded instance of a car being recycled was in 1943, almost 80 years ago.

If you have a junk car, turn to T&S Automotive in Thomasville, NC. This scrapyard accepts all old cars, including those over 10 years old that don't have a title. If you need to repair your vehicle, they also sell used car parts at affordable prices. Call (336) 882-7989 to ask about their inventory, or visit their website to learn more about their services.