When a junk car leaves your driveway on the back of a flatbed, it is natural to wonder what happens next. Does it end up in a field somewhere? Is any of it reused? The answer, for a vehicle handled responsibly, is that most of it gets a second life. Cars are among the most recycled consumer products in existence. This article follows the journey of a junk vehicle from the moment Lake Front Towing picks it up in Oak Creek, Franklin, Greenfield, or elsewhere in southern Milwaukee County, to the point where its materials become something new.

Step 1: pickup and transport

The journey starts with removal. Our operator confirms the paperwork with you, winches the vehicle onto a flatbed, and secures it. Because junk vehicles may have flat tires, locked brakes, or missing parts, they are loaded carefully to avoid spilling fluids or dropping pieces on the road. The vehicle is then transported to a licensed facility that handles end-of-life vehicles.

Step 2: fluid removal

Before anything else, a vehicle's fluids are drained. That includes engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, windshield washer fluid, and any remaining fuel. These fluids are hazardous if released into soil or water, so responsible facilities collect them for recycling or proper disposal. Used oil can be re-refined, and antifreeze can be reprocessed.

Step 3: hazardous parts

Next come components that need special handling:

  • Batteries contain lead and acid, and lead-acid batteries are among the most widely recycled products — the lead and plastic are recovered and reused.
  • Mercury switches were used in some older vehicles for hood and trunk lights, and are removed so mercury does not end up in recycled metal.
  • Air conditioning refrigerant is recovered with specialized equipment rather than vented into the atmosphere.
  • Tires are removed and sent to tire recyclers, where they can become fuel, rubberized surfaces, or other products.

Step 4: reusable parts

Many junk cars still have useful parts: alternators, starters, mirrors, doors, lights, wheels, seats, and electronic modules. Depending on the facility, these parts may be removed and sold as used parts. That helps other drivers repair their cars affordably and keeps working components out of the scrap stream. Catalytic converters, which contain valuable metals, are removed and sent for metal recovery.

Step 5: crushing and shredding

Once fluids, hazardous items, and valuable parts have been removed, the remaining body and frame is crushed to make it easier to transport. Eventually, it goes to a shredder, which breaks the car into small pieces. Magnets separate steel and iron, while other systems separate aluminum, copper, and other metals. The non-metal leftovers — plastics, foam, glass, and fabric — are separated as well, with some material recovered and the rest disposed of properly.

Step 6: new life for old metal

The recovered steel is melted and made into new steel products: building materials, appliances, and yes, new cars. Recycling steel uses far less energy than making it from raw iron ore. Aluminum, copper, and other metals are also recovered and reused. In other words, part of the car that sat in your driveway may someday be part of a bridge, a washing machine, or another vehicle.

Why responsible removal matters

A car abandoned in a field or behind a building keeps leaking fluids into the ground for years. Batteries corrode, tires collect water and breed mosquitoes, and rusting metal becomes a hazard. Removing junk vehicles and sending them through proper recycling protects soil, groundwater, and local waterways — including Lake Michigan and the many smaller lakes in southeastern Wisconsin.

What you should do before pickup

Your part is simple. Remove personal belongings and documents, take off the license plates, have the title ready, and let us know if the car is leaking or missing parts. Do not drain fluids yourself or remove the battery and leave it in the yard — let the professionals handle the hazardous materials. Then call (414) 520-7264 to schedule.

Partial vehicles and parts piles

Project cars often come with extras: a spare engine on a stand, boxes of trim, a set of wheels in the garage corner. Tell the dispatcher about everything you want gone. Some parts can ride along with the vehicle, while others, like loose engines that may leak oil, need to be prepared or handled separately. Do not leave them in the car without mentioning them; heavy parts sliding around inside a vehicle on a flatbed can damage the deck and create a hazard during transport.

Frequently asked questions

Do I get anything for my junk car?

It depends on the vehicle's size, condition, and parts. Removal may be free, or there may be an offer. Ask the dispatcher about your vehicle.

Can I keep certain parts before you take it?

You can remove personal accessories, but tell us if major parts are missing, since that affects how the vehicle is handled.

How quickly can you pick it up?

Often the same day or the next, depending on scheduling.

Ready to send your old car on its next journey? Call (414) 520-7264. Learn more about our junk car removal.