Benefits of Automotive Recycling

Automotive recycling is one of the most mature and impactful circular-economy industries in the world. In the United States alone, it ranks as the 16th-largest industry by GDP and employs more than 140,000 skilled professionals. Each year, recyclers in the U.S. and Canada recover enough steel to manufacture approximately 13 million new vehicles—demonstrating the sector’s essential role in resource conservation and domestic manufacturing supply chains.

For businesses, advanced automotive recycling delivers clear environmental and economic advantages. Proper end-of-life vehicle processing conserves natural resources, reduces the demand for virgin materials, and minimizes emissions across the automotive lifecycle. In addition to lowering environmental impact, the industry generates an estimated $32 billion USD annually in economic activity in the U.S., supporting local jobs, downstream manufacturing, and cost-effective parts recovery.

Through programs like SHiFT®, companies can participate directly in this circular system—retiring vehicles responsibly while contributing to a stronger, more sustainable materials economy.