Cars Alternative ways to recycle Special Instructions If your car is damaged beyond repair, take it to a scrapyard or donate it to your favorite charity. Do not put car parts in any garbage or recycling bin. They can contain fluids and residues that are hazardous. Plus, they can severely damage collection and processing equipment. Alternative Ways to Recycle Wheels for Wishes Consider donating an unwanted car to Wheels for Wishes. Pick-up is free and proceeds go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Veteran Car Donations Donate your car to veterans through Veteran Car Donations. Pickup is free and your donation is 100% tax deductible. Car Donation Wizard Car Donation Wizard works with a number of well-known charities to help recycle cars. They will pick up the car for free, and see that the proceeds benefit the charity you’ve selected. They accept most cars, trucks, boats and personal watercraft, RVs and motorhomes, trailers, motorcycles, and off-road vehicles. Learn more. Car Donation Foundation You can donate an unwanted vehicle to the Car Donation Foundation, who gives their proceeds to local children’s charities or veterans’ programs, such as Make-A-Wish Foundation. Pick-ups are free. Learn more about their program. Use the ARA Database The Automotive Recyclers Association has a list of companies in North America that are certified to properly recycle your car. Old cars often contain harmful liquid waste, so it’s important to hand over scrap cars to those who are well-equipped. Did You Know? Scrap Car Processing Job Creation and Automotive Recycling In the United States, the automotive recycling industry employs more than 140,000 people nationwide, bringing in about $32 billion in sales each year. About 86 percent of a whole vehicle can be recycled into new car parts or other consumer products. Find out more.