What happens to scrap metal?

Once all reusable parts and fluids are removed, the remaining metal body of the vehicle is processed as scrap. This metal — primarily steel and aluminum — is a valuable raw material that can be recycled indefinitely.

At 603 Auto Salvage, we crush and bale the metal into compact units for efficient transport. These bales are then shipped to regional metal mills and smelting facilities where they are melted down and refined into new products such as construction steel, appliances, and even new cars.

Recycling metal uses far less energy than producing it from raw ore and significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. It also prevents waste from ending up in landfills.

By sending all scrap metal to certified processors, we ensure that every ton is repurposed safely and responsibly. What was once an unwanted vehicle becomes a source of new materials for future industries — a perfect example of sustainable recycling in action.