The UK scrap over 1.4 million cars every year, with up to 85% of each vehicle recycled or reused. It sounds impressive, but too often, valuable car parts don’t make it back into circulation.
Instead, they’re lost to shredders, leaving drivers to buy new parts that come with high costs and a heavy carbon footprint.
Buying used car parts changes that story. Every salvaged engine, gearbox, or alloy wheel helps cut CO2, reduces demand for raw materials, and keeps cars on the road for longer. In fact, buying a used part can cut the carbon footprint by up to 70% compared to a new one.
At Scrap Local, we see sustainability in action every day.
Here’s how our process works:
The means drivers anywhere in the UK can access affordable, sustainable parts without having to live near a scrapyard.
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Globally, over 27 million cars are recycled annually, generating approximately 25 million tonnes of material.
In the UK alone, the car recycling industry was worth £1.42 billion in 2023, projected to double to £3 billion by 2033. This is a major industry that keeps valuable materials in use and plays a central role in the circular economy.
Each part salvaged is a win for both drivers’ wallets and the environment.
Sustainability in the automotive sector is becoming a legal requirement.
Scrap Local already works within this framework through our licensed ATF network, so customers know their cars are processed responsibly.
The circular economy might seem complicated, but it’s simple when you can see it in action.
By choosing used car parts, UK drivers and garages play a direct role in closing this loop.
The circular economy is visible every day at our scrapyard in Darwen.
We break and ship parts that give engines a second life in family cars, gearboxes that save garages weeks of downtime, and alloy wheels that keep vehicles safe on the road at a fraction of the cost of buying new.
We also know that buying major parts like engines can feel stressful. Nobody wants to risk hidden issues.
That’s why we’ve published guides on buying used parts like a mechanic and how to find the right used car part.
These give drivers and garages the confidence that with the right checks and trusted suppliers, buying second-hand can be safe and reliable.
Every part that leaves our yard is a piece of waste prevented, a resource saved, and a car kept running longer. It’s sustainability made practical.
Buying used car parts goes far beyond saving money. This choice helps cut emissions, supports the circular economy, and reduces waste.
From new legislation to everyday repairs, the shift is happening: reuse is the future.
We make that future accessible with trusted, tested parts, shipped across the UK.
Choose a service & we’ll search our network to find you the best scrapyard for your enquiry!
We have hundreds of scrap car buyers waiting to buy your scrap car.
