Donating scrap cars (from rusty runk to charity junk)
England has millions of old cars that are rusting away in garages or dumped in the countyside (one walker in Wales discovered 50 classic cars left to rot in a forest). This is unsightly and vehicles leak oil and antifreeze.
Yet you can instead donate even non-working vehicles, the metal is sold to raise money for good causes. Charity Car and Give a Car can both arrange nationwide collection. Parts are repaired or reused, and your charity gets the car’s scrap value.
Only support charities that don’t test on animals (there are many to choose from – including butterfly conservation, horse sanctuaries, animal rescue and homeless shelters).
Get your paperwork in order first
Before donating, you must obtain a DVLA Certification of Destruction, to avoid a fine.
You can scrap cars as insurance write-offs, rather than leaving them as fire hazards and eyesores on the street. Give the ATF the vehicle log book (V5C) but keep the yellow ‘sell, transfer or part-exchange your vehicle to the motor trade’ section. And again tell DVLA to avoid a fine.
Where to recycle used tyres
Ask your mechanic to recycle used tyres (fire/pollution hazards) that can be made into roofing, crash barriers & carpet underlay.
Learn how to change a tyre in 10 simple steps. ‘Eco-tyres’ have less rolling resistance, so reduce fuel consumption & carbon emissions. Check tread regularly with a digital gauge and replace worn treads (that won’t grip in wet weather, and can get you fined).
