Though there are some automotive recyclers that operate at a corporate level, most of the ones in Indiana still consider themselves mom and pop types of business. When one considers that the business of recycling cars is one of the fastest growing in the nation, it is amazing to discover that is very true. In the last half century, corporate giants were seeming to win out over small family owned business but that fact does not hold true for the automotive recycling industry. In fact, the majority of auto recyclers in the state of Indiana are single establishment entities. Even the larger ones do not claim to have more than 3or facilities spread around the state.

For the auto recyclers in South Bend and other cities in Indiana, they have found that smaller works best in this billion-dollar industry. Auto recyclers in this state and around the country expect to produce a total of $22 billion in revenue in one year alone.

As community service providers, Indiana automotive recyclers play a largely unsung role in protecting the environment of the state. They perform a vital function in addressing the tremendous problem confronting an ever-growing issue with how to handle automobiles that have outlived their usefulness. Over half a million vehicles will be reach that status just this year in Indiana, either because they have been involved in collision that is deemed by an insurance company to be too costly to repair or by the owner who makes the decision that a repair would cost more than the value of the vehicle. Whereas at one time these vehicles may have ended up abandoned on vacant lots or residing in landfills that were never designed to accommodate them, automotive recyclers obtain them and begin the process of turning them into recyclable goods.

Automotive recyclers are also another valuable service when dismantling and recycling these cars. By working in conjunction with local and federal environmental agencies, these facilities ensure that the hazardous wastes contained within vehicles is removed and handled in safe ways so they are unable to enter the ground water and air. Usable are resold, which provides another important function. This makes it easier for consumers to repair the automobiles they currently own. Recycled parts are crucial in holding down the cost of auto insurance premiums. Federal regulations prohibit insurance companies from authorize repairs with cheap aftermarket parts, that leaves only two options- use new or recycled parts. New parts are often exorbitant in price therefore recycled parts are a much more economical solution. Insurance companies recover their losses with auto recyclers as well. Once a vehicle has been totaled and the owner has been compensated, insurance companies are able to recover at least a portion of this loss by selling the salvage vehicle to auto recyclers.

According to the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association, over 76 percent of each scrap automobile is recycled. Almost all the iron and steel of a car is recovered when recycled or reused as well as lead aluminum and copper.