Your car contains many fluids which are toxic. In order to protect the environment, auto wreckers must take special precautions when dealing with these waste fluids. If you are concerned about how an auto wrecker will process the oils and other fluids in your car, this article details the way in which they will dispose of toxic fluids from your old car, which will help to put your mind at rest.

Coolant

Some types of coolant used in your car contain chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) gas. Research has shown that CFC gas can cause extensive damage to the atmosphere's ozone layer which helps to protect the planet from harmful rays from the sun. The auto wrecker will drain the coolant fluid, ensuring no CFC escapes or becomes mixed with other liquids. The coolant will be securely stored and labelled and sent to a specialist waste disposal company.

Oil

Much of the oil which is in your car will be able to be recycled for use in other vehicles; this includes the fluid from the transmission system and power steering. However, the oil in the engine will typically be too dirty to be reused and will need to be disposed of. The auto wrecker will drain any oils which can be recycled and send them off to a recycling company that will filter the oil so it can be used again. Engine oil will be drained and stored in a sealed drum. Once the auto wrecker has several drums of waste oil, they will be collected by a waste oil management company.

Fuel

Many cars which are taken to wrecker yards still have fuel in the tank which will need to be drained. Even if the tank is showing as almost empty on the dashboard fuel indicator, there can still be a quantity of fuel which is trapped in the nooks and crannies within the fuel tank. 

If the fuel is clean, the auto wrecker will be able to drain it and re-use it in another vehicle. However, if oil or water have contaminated the fuel, it will need to be removed and disposed of by a hazardous waste company.

Because breaking environmental laws can carry harsh punishments, many wreckers yards now have specialist tanks in which they can store hazardous liquids in a safe manner. If you would like further information about the steps, a wreckers yard will take to protect the environment, contact a company today.