Have you ever wondered what happens to the airbags when a car is scrapped? This blog will take you through the process step by step!
Safe Removal
When a car is scrapped, the battery, fuel tank and any airbags fitted will need to be removed due to the potential for explosion. Airbags in particular contain chemicals and explosive materials that are toxic and could potentially deploy during the scrapping process, posing serious safety risks to workers and the environment.
GOV.UK guidelines actually recommend deploying the air bags in situ to avoid any accidental explosions or other hazards while removing the device from the car.
Sometimes the airbags may remain in the vehicle when it goes through the shredder as the shredder chamber is able to contain the explosions, however it is generally safer to remove the air bags first.
Expert Handling
Airbags are designed to deploy rapidly in a crash and the igniting materials inside them can easily cause an explosion if mishandled during the scrapping process. This, combined with the difficult to access location of the devices, is why airbag removal requires specialised knowledge and skills to avoid accidental deployment.
Contamination Prevention
If airbags are not properly disposed of, the toxic chemicals and materials inside can be released into the environment, contaminating local soil and water supplies. This is why it is important to handle airbags safely and follow proper recycling procedures to prevent the release of these harmful chemicals into the environment.
Recycling
Once the airbags have been removed, safely deployed and processed, they can typically be recycled responsibly along with the other car parts by a trusted Authorised Treatment Facility – like us at A&L!
If you have any questions about our vehicle recycling process or if you are looking for a quote price for your scrap car, reach out and contact A&L Recycling today.
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