With transportation remaining one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in Canada, environmental experts are pointing to an often-overlooked source of excess CO2: aging, unused vehicles. Scrap Car Pros is drawing attention to these contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, noting that these older cars not only emit far more carbon when operational, but also pose as serious environmental risks when left idle and deteriorating.
According to research from the International Council on Clean Transportation, retiring or scrapping an older vehicle can reduce an average of 1.2 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year per car. With more than a million end-of-life vehicles processed annually in Canada, the potential for meaningful emissions reductions through proper vehicle disposal is rather significant.
Older vehicles typically have lower fuel efficiency and lack modern emission-control systems. As a result, they can emit between 30% and 50% more CO2 than newer models, according to federal emissions data. Even when these vehicles are no longer in use, they can still impact the environment through leaking motor oil, coolant, and other fluids that seep into soil and underground water systems.
“Many people don’t realize that an unused car sitting in a driveway or a field can be just as harmful as one that’s on the road,” said Isaac Smith, spokesperson for Scrap Car Pros. “Fluids degrade over time, parts rust, and pollutants can end up in the ground. By removing and responsibly scrapping these cars, we’re not only preventing future emissions but also protecting the environment from further contamination.”
Vehicle scrapping also plays a direct role in Canada’s recycling ecosystem. End-of-life cars are dismantled, and their metal and components are recovered for reuse. Recycling steel from scrapped cars is considerably less carbon-intensive than producing new steel from raw materials. According to the Canadian Auto Recyclers Environmental Code, most end-of-life vehicles are recycled domestically, keeping materials in circulation and reducing the need for energy-intensive steel manufacturing.
“If we multiply the impact of just one scrapped vehicle by hundreds of thousands,” Smith added, “the environmental benefits become clear. It’s about cumulative change. Every vehicle that’s properly recycled contributes to lower emissions and cleaner communities.”
Transportation emissions remain a major challenge for Canada’s climate goals. In 2023, passenger vehicles were responsible for producing approximately 19 megatons of CO2 emissions, which is a substantial portion of the country’s total transport footprint. Removing high-emission vehicles from circulation, or preventing further leakage from derelict ones, is an efficient, community-level action that aligns with national efforts to reduce greenhouse gases.
Scrap Car Pros is part of a growing number of companies committed to responsible removal, scrappage, and recycling practices across Ontario. Working with licensed facilities, the company ensures that vehicles are dismantled and recycled in compliance with environmental standards, which minimizes landfill waste and pollution. While many see scrapping a car as a simple transaction, Smith noted that the impact extends well beyond someone’s driveway.
“It’s a quiet but powerful way for everyday people to make a real contribution to environmental protection,” he said. “You’re not just getting rid of an old vehicle; you’re actively reducing emissions, preventing contamination, and supporting a more sustainable materials economy.”
Scrap Car Pros provides fast and professional scrap car removal, junk car removal, and auto wrecker services throughout Ontario. The company offers same-day service and partners with certified recycling facilities to ensure vehicles are processed responsibly. Prospective clients and members of the media can find more information about the company at the company’s website.
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For more information about Scrap Car Pros, contact the company here:
Scrap Car Pros
Isaac Smith
647-914-4993
info@scrapcarpros.ca
200 White Oaks Ct #1905 - Whitby, ON L1P 1B8
