This blog was originally posted in 2014 and was recently updated in 2021.

If you have ever travelled to a country in the developing world, it might seem like a trip into the past. As soon as you leave the airport, the taxis waiting to take you to your destination are most likely older model cars from a past generation. Exhaust bellowing cars manufactured in the decades of the 50s, 60s, and 70s fill the roads with only an occasional new model car competing for space on the traffic congested highways. Given this reality, it might seem evident that the vast majority of cars originally sold in the United States eventually end up in developing countries where relaxed regulations and inexpensive manual labor make it feasible to drive those cars well past their “expiration date.”

Despite this unique example of “recycling,” there are still an enormous amount of vehicles in the United States that end up in junkyards, landfills, or are illegally abandoned on a desolate country road. Car junk is not usually associated with taking up space in the landfills that we depend on as part of our waste management systems. Upon closer analysis, however, the statistics might surprise you. The broken down 1970s Buick that you were trying to get another 10,000 miles out of, the old farm truck that your grandfather passed down through the generations, and the new hybrid sedan that was totaled by a recent accident all contribute to an enormous amount of waste that is piling up in landfills around the country. What is even more unfortunate, however, is that almost every part of crashed, broken down, and out-of-service vehicles can be recycled.

Junk King is the nation´s leading professional junk removal company, with hundreds of different franchises in several states. We offer both residential and commercial junk removal services, including the ability to haul away all different types of car junk. Below, we briefly explain what car junk entails, how individuals can responsibly get rid of a car that they no longer want or need, as well as answer some other frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to how to responsibly get rid of an old or broken down car. Finally, we explain why Junk King is the best professional junk removal company to help you deal with your car junk.

What is Car Junk?

Think of the car that you currently own. How many different pieces and types of materials actually go into the design and manufacture of every vehicle on the road?  The exterior of a car obviously has aluminum, glass and iron ore which is the raw material used to make the steel frame of the car. Synthetic petroleum products are also a major part of a car´s overall makeup, being used to make plastics, rubber and special fibers. After the main components that go into the frame, engine, and transmission, interior parts such as instrument panels, seats, HVAC systems, electronics, and wiring to tie everything together also rely on an enormous variety of raw materials.

According to one analysis , the average vehicle has:

•         900 kg of steel to build the car's chassis and body, including the roof, body, door panels, the beams between doors, mufflers and exhaust pipes;
•         151 kg of plastics and composite materials accounting for 50 percent of the volume materials;
•         466 pounds of aluminum, though that number is expected to rise to 565 pounds per car in 2028 due to advanced manufacturing processes that prioritize the lightweight nature of aluminum;
•         A large amount of rubber for tires, belts, hoses, and seals. Though the exact amount depends on the size of the vehicle that is being manufactured, the automotive industry purchases over 65 percent of all the rubber produced around the world;

As a legal definition, a junk vehicle refers to any vehicle “which is incapable of operation or use on the highways and which has no resale value except as a source of parts or scrap.” However, there may be other situations or circumstances where owners may find it necessary to junk their vehicle even if it is still operable. These might include situations when:

•         The cost of repairs is significantly more than the value of the car itself;
•         The lack of basic safety features on your old car make driving it a serious hazard both to yourself and others with whom you share the road;
•         Your check engine light never turns off even after extensive repairs;
•         You are unable to title your car due to damage, age, and other conditions;
•         Extensive rust damage has debilitated the frame and/or chassis of your car beyond repair;
•         You simply cannot find a buyer for your older used car.

Almost every state requires people to have at least third party motor insurance for each and every vehicle you own, even if it is simply parked on the street, on your driveway or in your garage. Thus, holding onto an old car hoping that you might be able to sell it or someday fix it up will most likely add another monthly expense to your family budget. If you avoid paying car insurance, there is a risk that your car could be seized by the authorities.

Thus, junking a car is often a practical financial decision. Unless you live next to a junkyard, however, towing your car to the nearest junkyard will most likely be a challenge and will come at a substantial cost. Junk King makes it easy for individuals and businesses to quickly and efficiently get rid of their old junk cars. Furthermore, we make every effort to ensure that your car is either recycled, resold, or repurposed, instead of ending up in your local landfill.

Some Statistics on Car Recycling

According to an article in Popular Mechanics: “The automobile is the most recycled consumer product in the world -- 95 percent of all vehicles are reclaimed. The rate far exceeds the numbers for recycling giants such as newspaper (74 percent), aluminum cans (51 percent) and glass (22 percent). And much of the reclaimed material winds up back in new cars: Coffee-stained carpeting becomes air-cleaner assemblies, and chewed-up tires morph into brake pedals and floor mats.”

At least 80 percent of all the raw materials that go into the manufacture of a vehicle can be recycled. In the United States, the automotive recycling industry reclaims around 750 million pounds of scrap each and every month. The vast majority of junk vehicles that are recycled eventually make their way to southern Michigan, where massive automotive recycling industries salvage materials that are then resold to the General Motors Company, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, or the Ford Motor Company located just down the street.

Consider some of the following statistics related to the automotive recycling industry:

•         Worldwide, over 25 million tons of material is recycled from old vehicles.
•         The car recycling industry is the 16^th largest in the United States. It contributes $25 billion a year to the national GDP and employs close to 100,000 people.
•         In Canada and the United States, the automobile recycling industry recycles sufficient steel to produce roughly 13 million new vehicles.
•         The North American automotive recycling industry saves around 85 million barrels of oil that would have to be extracted for new raw material and resource extraction.
•         The automotive recycling industry also reclaims several types of hazardous fluids and oils, the total of which is equal to eight Exxon Valdez disasters.
•         Automotive recyclers also help to draw down the price of new cars by providing recycled parts are 20 percent to 80 percent less expensive than comparable new auto parts.

Despite the progress and advances of the automotive recycling industry, an enormous amount of junk cars continue to end up in landfills around the country. The estimated 20 percent of a vehicle that cannot be recycled is termed “auto shredder residue (ASR).” This includes which includes ferrous and nonferrous metal pieces, dirt, glass, fabric, paper, wood, rubber, and plastic. Furthermore, many people who do not live near a car junkyard end up dismantling the car themselves before eventually sending those materials to the nearest landfill.

Though trustworthy statistics are hard to find, millions of tons of junk vehicles may very well end up in our nation´s already over-burdened landfills. The steel, copper, aluminum, rubber, plastics, and other raw materials that go into car manufacture, however, can very easily be recycled through the well-established automotive recycling industry. Junk King is the nationwide leader in professional junk removal. Our franchises, which are strategically located throughout the country, can help individuals, homeowners, and businesses efficiently deal with every type of junk that is not considered toxic waste, including car junk.

How to Get Rid of Car Junk

Somewhere between 12 and 15 million vehicles reach the end of their use each year in just the United States. Before those cars and trucks are flattened by the crusher, however, the owners of those cars have several different options to get rid of those cars. Instead of towing your old junker to an abandoned parking lot in the middle of the night, we briefly explain how car owners can legally get rid of their car junk.

Sell your Old Car

“One person´s trash is another person´s treasure,” or so the saying goes. Even if you think that your old car is essentially worthless, there might be a buyer out there willing to invest some money as part of fixer-upper project. Before calling up your local junkyard, consider listing your used vehicle on Craigslist, EBay, or other online platforms where people sell used vehicles. Depending on the type of car that you have, there might even be buyers willing to invest in your old car for nostalgic or sentimental reasons. Several older vehicles can be classified as classics, and may have a higher retail value, even if the car is in mechanically poor shape.

Even if your old car isn’t a classic, you can still try and find a buyer who might use the car for parts. Consider asking your local mechanic if they know of a potential buyer who might be willing to purchase your older car for parts. You´re probably not going to be looking at a substantial amount of money when you sell your older car junk. However, even a couple hundred dollars is better than continuing to pay insurance on a car that you have parked in your driveway. PartsBeast is one of the best online platforms that allows you to sell your used cars for parts, and doesn’t charge fees for non-sold listings.

Donate your Old Car

According to recent statistics, 9.1 percent of American households currently do not own a personal vehicle. Due to the relatively poor state of public transportation in the majority of the country, a lack of vehicle ownership can cause serious economic hardship for individuals and families. In some cases, a lack of a car makes it close to impossible to sustain a job. Simple, everyday tasks such as going to the grocery store, making a trip to the doctor, or picking up a child from an after school program are significantly more taxing for people without a car and who live in areas where public transportation is either irregular, expensive, or completely non-existent.

Though your older vehicle might seem like a piece of junk to you, there are most likely hundreds of individuals and families in your town or region who would be extremely grateful for a chance to own a vehicle. In fact, there are several non-profit organizations that seek to connect “car-less” individuals with people who have an older car they want to get rid of. These organizations may very well offer free or discounted mechanic service to get the vehicle into an operational state before donating. Donating older vehicles is not only a way to help marginalized individuals in your area, but it can also keep older car junk out of landfills.

Onlinecardonation.org is just one of the several organizations that can help you donate your car to those in need. This company offers a fair market value tax break, and depending on the state of your used car, might even offer you a free vacation perk for your donation.

Repurpose your Old Car

 If you live in an area where local ordinances do not prohibit storing an old, broken down car on your property, you might also be able to repurpose your car in a creative/artistic manner. Old cars can be turned into backyard chicken coops, lawn ornaments, planting beds, and several other interesting yard additions. Some people even find ways to turn old vehicles into small cabins that you can rent out on AirBnb (check out this listing for some inspiration). 

Throw Away (DIY) your Old Car

 If you are unable to sell, donate, or repurpose your car junk, you can certainly try to get rid of your car in a more traditional manner. Of course, if you simply place your old car at the end of the driveway hoping that the garbage truck will take it away, you are most likely going to be left with a hefty fine for illegal dumping. Towing your old car to an abandoned parking lot or desolate country road is also not a good strategy. Besides simply passing the problem onto someone else, there is always the possibility that the local police can trace the car back to you via the license plate or VIN number, thus resulting in a hefty fine. In some areas of the country, illegally dumping a car might even be considered a felony, since car batteries have toxic substances such as lead.

To avoid any potential legal problems, getting rid of your car in a legal, DIY manner requires some pretty powerful tools and a fair amount of patience. You´ll need to be able to take apart the individual parts of the motor to try and sell for parts and then find ways to fit old car parts into the trash.

Full-Service Junk Removal for Junk

Perhaps the easiest way to get rid of an old car that cannot be sold or donated is to hire a full-service junk removal company. Junk removal companies will generally be able to pick up your broken down car at your residence, business, or wherever the car is stored. In many cases, full-service junk removal companies will charge significantly less than a tow truck service, and you will also be able to avoid the extra costs associated with junkyard fees. Junk King is the nation´s top-rated full service junk removal company and can help individuals, homeowners, and business owners quickly and easily get rid of their junk cars.

Get a Dumpster Rental to Clean Out Your Car

Lastly, you might also consider a dumpster rental to get rid of your car junk. Though it might be impossible to try and get an entire car into a dumpster, this option might work best if you have already started to dismantle a car to sell for parts. Some car junk materials that are hard to sell on your own can be placed in a dumpster you rent from Junk King. We will then make every possible effort to ensure that those used car pieces are either recycled or donated to others who can use them.

Cost of Car Junk Removal

The cost of car junk removal will depend on several factors, including the size of your car (or car junk), your location, and the current state of the vehicle. In general, most full-service junk removal companies will charge based on the volume of the amount of junk being hauled away. According to HomeGuide.com, “a full-size truck with a max load of 450 ft3 will cost around $550 to haul away junk.” Junk King is dedicated to offering upfront, honest, and transparent pricing for all our customers. We are also confident that we can beat almost any written estimate, thus offering the most cost effective way to help individuals, homeowners, and businesses get rid of their car junk.

Car Junk Removal FAQs

For individuals, homeowners, or businesses who have never worked with Junk King, below are a few answers to some of the most common frequently asked questions (FAQs).

What are you doing to ensure safety during COVID-19?

We take the health and welfare of our crew and customers very seriously. Here’s what we’ve been incorporating into daily operations to adapt to the new normal: We maintain a 6-foot distance from every customer. Our haulers can pick up curbside, never entering your home. You can send photos to the Junk King team for a touch-less price quote. You can pay for our services over the phone to limit social exposure. Gloves, masks and hand sanitizers are provided on every truck used to protect you and our haulers.

Am I able to drop off my car junk at a Junk King location?

At this time we do not accept drop offs but we do offer a self-service junk removal option with our mini dumpster rentals. We will drop off a dumpster in your driveway and drive away. You keep it as long as you want and let us know when to come pick it up. You only pay for the space you use!

What is curbside pickup?

Leave your car junk outside, on the curb or driveway, in a side yard, backyard, or carport, and our professional crews will come by, pick up and haul away your car junk without ever making contact. You can even make payment over the phone.

How do you ensure that my car junk is not simply taken to a landfill?

Every one of our Junk King franchises has a huge network of relationships with local recycling operations, donation centers, mechanic shops, and other companies that help us find a way to either donate, recycle, or repurpose your old vehicle. The automotive recycling industry is the most developed recycling industry in North America, and we ensure that every part of your vehicle that can be recycled, will be.

Choosing a Company to Help with Your Car Junk Removal

Unless you have a junk yard just down the road from your home, chances are that hiring a full-service junk removal company will be the easiest and most cost effective way to deal with your car junk. However, not every junk removal company operates the same. When choosing a company to help with your car junk removal, make sure to prioritize companies that have the following characteristics:

•         Transparent Pricing Mechanisms: An honest and trustworthy junk removal company should be able to offer you transparent pricing mechanisms. There is nothing worse than hiring a company to get rid of your car junk only to find out that they are going to charge you double what they had originally quoted once the truck is at your home. Look for companies that offer either online pricing estimates or free, in-person quotes.
•         A Commitment to Recycling and Donations: The best junk removal companies will go the extra mile to ensure that the junk they haul away is not simply taken to the nearest landfill.
•         Quality Customer Service: Lastly, the top junk removal companies will also offer superior customer service that ensures that you, as the customer, does not have to any sort of heavy lifting or moving of the junk that you need hauled away.

Why Junk King?

Junk King is one of the few junk removal companies around the country that has an environmental ethic as a foundational element of our business model. We originally began our junk removal services in the San Francisco, California area as a way to offer our residential and commercial clients an environmentally friendly way to deal with all different types of junk and waste that they accumulate. We are proud to say that all of our franchises across the country are committed to recycling, donating, repurposing, or “upcycling” at least 60 percent of the junk that we pick up. In the specific case of car junk, we are almost always to recycle or donate a much higher percentage of what we haul away.

We understand that getting rid of bulky junk like old cars can be a difficult and cumbersome ordeal. Thus, we are also committed to making it extremely easy for you to get rid of your car junk. Once you have hired us, we will do all the heavy lifting and towing. You simply have to let us know where the old car is located and we will do the rest. Due to the continued COVID-19 pandemic, we also offer no-contact service, meaning that you never have to physically interact with our junk removal technicians.

Additionally, providing our customers with “fair and transparent” pricing is one of the hallmarks of our company and we even offer your four different ways to get a free estimate:

1. On-Site Pricing Estimate: On-site pricing is the best and most accurate way for us to assess the job and offer you the lowest price. Unlike other companies, our on-site pricing estimates are completely free, and come with no-obligation on your part. Our junk removal professionals will inspect the junk you need hauled away and offer you an upfront price. If a price agreed upon, we will often be able to get rid of your car junk on the same day.
2. Call to Talk with a Trained Customer Service Representative: If you´d prefer to talk with someone before making a decision, you can call us toll-free at l 888-888-JUNK. Our customer service representatives can offer you a pricing estimate and help you plan the logistics of removing your car junk from your property.
3. Text us a Photo: Also, you can simply take a photo of your car junk and text us at 737-888-5865. We will promptly text you back a transparent price estimate. Once you accept the estimate, all you have to do is wait for the Junk King truck to arrive.
4. Online pricing estimator: Lastly, Junk King also offers an easy-to-use online pricing estimator. Simply enter your zip code to ensure that you are in right service area and provide a few more pieces of information regarding the type and size of the car junk you need removed. Our pricing estimator allows you to receive a transparent cost estimate based on either the actual items you need hauled away, or the anticipated volume in the Junk King truck you plan on taking up. The online pricing estimator is convenient, reliable, and time saving for those on a tight schedule.

No matter what option you choose, as soon as a price is agreed upon, you choose a date and two-hour service window that works for your schedule. Our junk removal professionals will call you 15-30 minutes before we show up to promptly take your car junk away!

Here at Junk King of Cobb County, we guarantee to offer fair and transparent cost estimates in writing. We also are confident that we can beat any written estimate, and offer the absolute best service in our industry. We truly believe that it is a combination of excellent customer service and a commitment to recycling, reusing, or donating more than half of the junk we pick up that has allowed our family business to continue to grow and expand into new locations around North America.

Junk King is the number-one rated junk removal company in North America and has over 100 franchise locations in the United States and Canada. Junk King is an established company with a proven track record. Our company is also fully insured, bonded, and licensed so that you can rest assured that you will never have to deal with unforeseen liabilities.

No matter what type of car junk you need to get rid of, we are here to help you efficiently and easily free up space in your home or business. Give us a call at 1-888-888-JUNK, text a photo to 1-737-888-5865, or book an appointment online to save $20 on orders totaling more than $99. Junk King continues to offer free, on-site written estimates, which is still the best way for us to give you our lowest pricing possible.