Because rotors are not replaced as frequently as brake pads, your mechanic may advise you to replace them when they grind. But, most often, how to dispose of brake rotors is left to the garage, which changes them.
In this case, they will save them up and sell them to the local scrap yard. However, what to do with used rotors if you conduct your own brake work? Do you throw away your brake rotors, dispose of your old brake rotors at a scrap metal yard, or toss them in the trash where they’ll sit in a landfill to erode over the next decade?.
It would help if you found the correct way to dispose of brake rotors, or you could learn ways to use them at home. In our guide, you can learn the best ways to deal with rotors by taking them to a waste management company (best if you have used brake fluid), you weigh them in yourself with local scrap metal people, or another solution. (Read Por-15 Metal Prep Alternative)
By the end, you’ll see you don’t need to throw away old brake rotors, as there are plenty of options available.
What Can I Do With Old Rotors And Drums?
Although most brake rotors are 100 percent recyclable, you should check with your waste management company before throwing them into your regular recycle bin.
What do you do with them if you can’t just throw them to the regular recycling guys?
How Much Do You Get For Old Brake Rotors?
Prices are based on the current scrap value for steel, so it varies daily or weekly. However, you can get a few dollars for your brake rotor sold as scrap metal.
Carbon-ceramic rotors and pads, typically found in higher-end sports cars, cannot be recycled as these rotors shouldn’t need replacing.
In addition, if there are mixed metals, such as aluminum, you might get a knocked down price compared to pure steel.
Options for Disposing of Brake Rotors
Recycling Center
Find your nearest dump or recycling center online or check the location by contacting your local town hall.
It’s always good to call the recycling center before loading the heavy rotors.
If you’re worried about a mess or damage to your car, lay flattened cardboard boxes underneath to catch any oil drips or mess from the old rotor.
Ask the staff where your rotor should go as you could damage their equipment if they go in the wrong bin.
Can Brake Rotors Be Reused?
It was common practice to resurface brake rotors several times before replacing them in the old days, but this is no longer the case.
Resurfacing rotors is not recommended because even one resurfacing can diminish the rotor to no longer be legally functional. In addition, rotors used to be thicker, and safety laws are more stringent now.
It is not cost-effective to pay for resurfacing when replacing the rotors costs roughly the same and provides you with the assurance that the problem has been resolved.
How Much To Have Brake Rotors Replaced?
A comprehensive brake rotor replacement can cost anywhere from $350 to $500, depending on your vehicle. (Read Clean Car Battery Terminals Wd40)
If your old rotors aren’t rusted, they’ll do a terrific DIY project.
Other people are recycling, reusing, and creatively utilizing their old rotors in the following ways:
- Boat Anchors
- Dumbbells
- Wall clock
- Windchime
- Sculpture base
- Grinder stand
- Floor lamp base
Can You Return Used Rotors To AutoZone?
Used motor oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, gear oil, and automotive batteries are accepted at Autozone and Advance Auto Parts stores.
Autozone also collects and recycles 13,000 tons of scrap metal per year, including brake rotors,
brake pads, water pumps, radiators, and other automotive components.
Where can I recycle brake rotors?
You can transport your brake rotors to your local garbage transfer station or recycling center to free up some garage room. Find your local waste transfer or recycling center. For further information, contact your city or town hall.
You may scrap auto parts like brake rotors at a recycling center.
Every vehicle has brake rotors, which are huge steel discs. They’re heavy (15-30 lbs. ), so recycling can be worth it if you have a lot.
What should I do with old rotors and brake pads?
How to Recycle or find scrap metal buyers in your neighborhood. If you’re not sure where to look, ask your city or county’s nearest garbage transfer station or county waste management office for recommendations on scrap metal collectors.
Weigh your rotors to see how much scrap metal you have. Then, take your brake rotors to a scrap metal dealer of your choice.
Drop your car parts in a free scrap metal drop near you; just make sure there is no brake fluid in the parts. Brake pads can also be thrown away, however brake fluid is considered hazardous waste because it is corrosive.
Can you scrap brake pads?
When it comes to recycling metal, all of the metal parts that are related to brakes, such as brake shoes, brake pads, and metal shavings, should be recycled along with any other scrap metal that is present.
Aluminum, brass, copper, iron, lead, steel, and tin, all fall into the Recycling A-Z.
What do you do with old antifreeze?
While safely disposing of old or used antifreeze, keep the following guidelines in mind: Do not throw antifreeze down the waste. (Learn How To Fix Sun Visor)
Do not spill antifreeze on the ground outside.
Take your antifreeze to a local recycling center, service station, or auto parts store if it’s old, used, or contaminated. Brake fluid needs the same considerations as they are both considered hazardous waste.
Should I Keep My Old Rotors?
How to dispose of rotors is easy, though it would help if you transported the rotors to the junkyard. Because most rotors are cast iron, moving them can be very costly.
Because rotors are not toxic elements you get in batteries, they do not require special handling. They are just heavy, especially when they come from larger vehicles.
It would help if you didn’t put rotors directly in your household recycling bin because of this size and size, not their toxicity. However, remember that rotors can damage recycling machines, so take them to the junkyard if you don’t plan to reuse them.
How Can I Make My Brake Rotors Reusable?
Brake rotors used to be thick and sturdy. Rotors’ durability and thickness make them ideal for long-term vehicle use. Now, auto parts stores sell thinner versions that thin out, wear down, and are less durable, so they’re no longer what they used to be.
It’s not always good to resurface worn rotors, especially when replacing brake pads or calipers. Therefore, it’s recommended to replace both the brake pads and the brake rotors simultaneously.
Therefore rotors that have been replaced must be recycled to make other materials, whether for residential or industrial use.
What Can Old Brake Rotors Be Used For?
It relies on the brake rotors’ condition. The rotors can still be utilized for a few things if they’re in decent form and aren’t rusted or corroded.
Some individuals make dumbells, grinder stands, wind chimes, and boat anchors, for example. Commonly used rotors, on the other hand, can be recycled into a wall clock or sculpture base, or used as tractor wheel weights.
Rotors are an excellent raw material for individuals who make floor lamp bases.
Brake drums are made from cast iron and are harder to reuse for DIY projects at home. While not hazardous waste, you need to dispose of it in the right ways.
How Much Is A Set Of Brakes And Rotors Worth?
If you throw away your old brake rotors in the bin to go to the dump, you may receive criticism.
Taking your old brake rotors to a junkyard rather than the landfill is the best option for getting rid of them.
Scrap metal recycling is the primary purpose of junkyards. It is better for the environment.
Rather than harming the environment by sitting in a landfill for years, the rotors can be sold for a few dollars. Instead of tossing them away, you can transport them to a scrapyard and exchange them for cash.
However, the monetary value you’ll receive will be determined by the item’s initial cost and weight.
The time of year you bring the rotors out has a significant impact on the price you’ll get for them.
Consider the industry’s needs, the scrapyard’s location, and the material’s quality when determining how much value you can get in exchange for your old brake rotors.
The quality and amount of materials accepted by some scrapyards are limited. You’re ready if your old brake rotors fit in. Otherwise, look into another junkyard.
Meanwhile, it’s critical to calculate the brake rotors’ weight. This is because scrapyard people weigh metals on scales, and the weight determines the value.
You won’t get a fair bargain if the rotors have become exceedingly thin. They will weigh the car’s net and gross weight to know the weight of your old rotors.
Some scrapyards will, of course, demand you to submit personal information such as your ID.
Certain scrapyards rely on computerized check-in by email rather than physical inspection to complete a metal transaction.
