For more than 75 years, automotive recyclers have been providing employment, consumer service and environmental conservation worldwide. In the United States , the automotive recycling industry is a vital, market-driven industry. In fact, automotive recycling is the 16th largest industry in the United States, estimated to be a $25 billion per year industry. There are approximately 7,000 vehicle-recycling operations around the country. Recycling autos provides enough steel to produce almost 13 million new automobiles, while generating jobs for 46,000 people.
The automobile is the most recycled product in the world today. In fact, 95 percent of retired autos are processed for recycling each year. Everything from floor mats and instrument panels to upholstery, aluminum and steel can be recycled for use in a new automobile or anothe consumer product. Nationwide, about 26 automobiles are recycled every minute, according to the American Iron and Steel Industry.