A few weeks ago Rethink posted a description of the car recycling process and how that process is only effective in reclaiming a portion of the materials from each scrapped vehicle. Although not inspired by the Department of Transportation’s ongoing “Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save” program, more widely known as “Cash For Clunkers,” the post’s timing couldn’t have been better. That’s because the terms of the program require all low mileage vehicles surrendered to a dealer to be shipped off to the scrap yard.

To make absolutely certain that these gas guzzling cars, trucks and vans don’t end up back on the road, the U.S. Department of Transportation has directed all dealers to “disable” the engines prior to shipment to a recycling facility. The process is accomplished using two quarts of sodium silicate, estimated to cost around $7. This substance binds to the engine’s parts to prevent them from gliding and rotating smoothly. The engine literally grinds to a halt, rendering it unserviceable. The chemical was chosen after consultation with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the EPA, who, according to the Department of Transportation, raised no issues about the safety of sodium silicate for workers or for the environment. (see Wall Street Journal Article for more info)

It certainly appears that the program will be successful in getting low mileage cars off of the road. What consumers should keep in mind however, is that these vehicles don’t simply disappear and they will not be magically transformed into shinny new products. Only certain parts and materials can be removed or isolated for recycling. The remaining 20% of each clunker will be shredded and piled up in a giant heap to await transfer to a landfill. Regretfully, eliminating one type of waste has contributed the creation of another.