With regular maintenance, your car can remain roadworthy for up to a decade or more. While a vehicle must be replaced eventually, many used auto parts can be recycled or repurposed to reduce the environmental impact of scrapping or donating an aging car. Here are a few components that can be put to good use for years after replacing a well-loved car.

Which Auto Parts Can You Reuse?

1. Engines & Transmissions

As long as they haven’t sustained heat damage or excessive wear, engines and transmissions can be broken down, cleaned and reconditioned, and reused in other vehicles. Not only will this prevent these auto parts from ending up in a dump, but reusing them in a vehicle of your own can also save you the cost of a full engine or transmission replacement.

2. Starters & Alternators

Starter motors, which provide electricity to help the engine turn over, and alternators, which transmit electricity to the battery, are sturdy enough to outlive the cars in which they’re installed. Even if they can’t be rebuilt or reused in other vehicles, they’re good sources of copper and steel. Scrapping them for these valuable metals will put cash in your wallet and keep them out of landfills where they can disrupt local ecosystems and water sources.

3. Auto Glass

Auto glass is tempered to withstand extreme temperatures and stresses, which is why a windshield can last as long as or longer than a car. If your auto glass has no damage, it can be an affordable replacement for a driver with a cracked windshield or windows. Broken glass can also be repurposed, as recycling technology has advanced to the point that it’s now possible to melt and reuse auto glass.

If you want to reduce the environmental impact of your old vehicle, talk to the friendly team at Northwest Auto Parts. As one of the premier salvage yards in the area, they’ve helped Anchorage, AK, drivers make the most of their old vehicles and protect the environment since 1981. Call (800) 770-6531 or visit them online to learn more about selling your vehicle.