6 Simple Ways to Recycle an Old Lawn Mower

6 Simple Ways to Recycle an Old Lawn Mower

It is that point of 12 months once more. The grass is rising, and it’s good to mow your garden. However what do you do along with your outdated garden mower? If it is nonetheless in good situation, you possibly can promote it or donate it. But when it isn’t, you will must recycle it. Recycling a garden mower just isn’t as troublesome as you may suppose. Listed below are just a few steps to get you began:

First, it’s good to drain the oil and gasoline from the mower. That is necessary as a result of these fluids will be dangerous to the atmosphere. As soon as the fluids are drained, you possibly can disassemble the mower. Most mowers are held collectively by bolts and screws. After getting disassembled the mower, you possibly can take it to a recycling heart. Many recycling facilities settle for steel, plastic, and different supplies. The recycling heart will be capable of recycle the supplies out of your garden mower.

Recycling your garden mower is a good way to assist the atmosphere. It additionally helps to cut back the quantity of waste that goes to landfills. So, in case you have an outdated garden mower that you simply’re not utilizing, you should definitely recycle it. It is a fast and straightforward strategy to make a distinction.

Figuring out Recyclable Elements

Engine parts

The engine of a garden mower is made up of varied steel parts, together with the engine block, cylinder head, crankshaft, and pistons. These parts are all recyclable and will be simply faraway from the garden mower.

The engine additionally incorporates some non-recyclable parts, such because the carburetor and spark plug. These parts ought to be faraway from the engine earlier than it’s recycled.

Steel parts

The physique of a garden mower is usually product of metal or aluminum, each of that are recyclable supplies. The wheels, handles, and different steel parts of the garden mower will also be recycled.

Plastic parts

Some garden mowers have plastic parts, such because the gas tank, air filter housing, and deck. These plastic parts usually are not recyclable, however they are often disposed of in a landfill.

Battery

The battery in a garden mower is a lead-acid battery, which is recyclable. The battery ought to be faraway from the garden mower and brought to a recycling heart.

Recyclable Elements Non-Recyclable Elements
Engine block Carburetor
Cylinder head Spark plug
Crankshaft
Pistons
Physique
Wheels
Handles
Gasoline tank
Air filter housing
Deck
Battery

Disposing of Non-Recyclable Components

Sure elements of your garden mower, such because the carburetor, spark plugs, and gasoline tank, include hazardous supplies that require specialised disposal. This is learn how to deal with these parts responsibly:

Carburetor

The carburetor is a vital a part of the garden mower’s engine, but it surely additionally incorporates gasoline residue. To get rid of a carburetor, drain any remaining gas and let it evaporate in a well-ventilated space. Then, wrap the carburetor in a plastic bag and get rid of it in a hazardous waste facility.

Spark plugs

Spark plugs include ignitable metals, making them a possible fireplace hazard. When disposing of spark plugs, wrap them individually in newspaper or plastic luggage. You possibly can then discard them in your common trash or take them to a recycling heart that accepts spark plugs.

Gasoline tank

The gasoline tank holds gas, which is each flammable and poisonous. To get rid of a gasoline tank, drain any remaining gas and let it evaporate in a well-ventilated space. Then, crush the tank to stop it from being reused and get rid of it as scrap steel.

Different non-recyclable elements

Along with the carburetor, spark plugs, and gasoline tank, different non-recyclable elements of a garden mower embody:

Half Disposal Technique
Battery Take to a battery recycling heart
Oil Get rid of at an oil recycling heart
Air filter Discard in common trash

Making ready the Mower for Scrapping

Earlier than scrapping your garden mower, it is essential to organize it correctly to make sure a secure and environment friendly course of. Comply with these steps to get your mower prepared for recycling.

1. Security First

All the time prioritize security when dealing with a garden mower. Put on applicable protecting gear, together with gloves, security glasses, and earplugs. Disconnect the spark plug to stop unintended begins.

2. Drain Fluids

Guarantee all fluids are drained completely from the mower. Drain the gas, oil, and coolant utilizing appropriate containers and get rid of them responsibly based on native laws.

3. Take away Hazardous Elements

Fastidiously take away hazardous parts from the mower. This contains the battery, spark plug, and another electrical parts. These elements ought to be recycled or disposed of individually following particular pointers.

Part Recycling/Disposal Technique
Battery Test native battery recycling facilities or automotive shops.
Spark Plug Get rid of with common family waste, taking precautions to not injury electrodes.
Electrical Elements Seek the advice of native electronics recycling applications or drop-off places.

Finding Scrap Steel Recyclers

Figuring out native companies that settle for scrap steel is a vital step. Listed below are just a few approaches to seek out them:

1. On-line Directories

Discover on-line directories similar to Google My Enterprise, Yelp, or specialised scrap steel recycling web sites to find recyclers in your space.

2. Native Yellow Pages

Test the native Yellow Pages below classes like “Scrap Steel Sellers” or “Recycling Facilities” to seek out close by companies.

3. Neighborly Inquiries

Ask buddies, household, or neighbors for suggestions based mostly on their previous experiences with scrap steel recyclers.

4. Native Scrap Steel Yards

Contact native scrap steel yards on to inquire about their acceptance of garden mowers. They usually have a greater understanding of native recycling choices and should present further data. Take into account the next desk for a complete view of scrap steel yards in your space:

Identify Handle Cellphone Quantity Web site
ABC Scrap Steel Yard 123 Foremost Avenue, Anytown, CA 12345 (555) 123-4567 www.abcscrapmetalyard.com
XYZ Scrap Steel Recycling 456 Elm Avenue, Anytown, CA 12345 (555) 789-1011 www.xyzscrapmetalrecycling.com

Making ready the Mower for Transportation

As soon as you have gathered the mandatory provides, it is time to put together your garden mower for transportation. Listed below are the steps it’s good to take:

1. Empty the Gasoline Tank

Use a small pump to empty the gas from the mower’s tank into an permitted gas storage container. Don’t spill gas on the bottom.

2. Disconnect the Battery

Find the mower’s battery terminals and disconnect the detrimental terminal first, adopted by the optimistic terminal. It will stop any electrical sparks or shorts.

3. Take away Free Components

Any unfastened elements, such because the blade, spark plug, or air filter, ought to be eliminated and positioned in a plastic bag for safekeeping throughout transport.

4. Safe the Deck

The mower’s deck ought to be secured within the upright place utilizing bungee cords or rope. It will stop the blades from shifting whereas the mower is being transported.

5. Clear the Mower

It is a good suggestion to wash the mower earlier than transporting it to take away filth, grass clippings, or different particles. Use a hose to spray down the mower and let it air dry earlier than putting it within the car.

Merchandise Amount Description
Bungee cords or rope 4 To safe the mower deck
Small pump 1 To empty the gas
Plastic bag 1 To retailer unfastened elements
Authorized gas storage container 1 To retailer the gas

Transporting the Mower Safely

Earlier than transporting your garden mower, take these precautions to make sure its security:

1. Cool the Mower

Permit the mower to chill utterly after use to stop any scorching surfaces from burning or melting throughout transport. This can even assist stop gas leaks.

2. Drain the Gasoline Tank

Empty the gas tank as a lot as attainable. That is necessary to stop gas spills throughout transportation, which will be harmful and messy.

3. Safe Free Components

Test for any unfastened elements on the mower, such because the blade, spark plug wire, or air filter. Safe them tightly to stop them from coming unfastened and inflicting injury throughout transit.

4. Clear the Mower

Take away any grass clippings, filth, or particles from the mower’s deck, blade, and underside. It will make it simpler to examine the mower for any injury and forestall the unfold of invasive species.

5. Transport Upright

If attainable, transport the garden mower upright in a truck or van. This prevents oil and gasoline from leaking out.

6. Safe the Mower

Use straps or ropes to safe the garden mower within the car to stop it from shifting round throughout transportation. Make sure that the mower is safe and won’t shift or tip over throughout the drive.

Unloading and Dismantling on the Recycling Facility

1. Unloading the Garden Mower

* Fastidiously unload the garden mower out of your car onto the designated unloading space on the recycling facility.
* Make sure the mower is on a secure floor and forestall any injury throughout dealing with.

2. Eradicating Fluids and Batteries

* Test for any fluids, similar to oil, gasoline, or coolant, and drain them into applicable containers.
* Take away the battery and retailer it individually for secure disposal.

3. Dismantling the Body and Housing

* Separate the mower deck from the body.
* Take away the engine and all hooked up parts.
* Dismantle the housing, together with the deal with and wheels.

4. Eradicating Steel Elements

* Accumulate all metal, aluminum, and forged iron elements from the mower.
* These elements will likely be recycled individually.

5. Sorting Plastic and Rubber Elements

* Determine and separate all plastic and rubber elements, such because the gasoline tank, chute, and wheels.
* Place these parts in designated recycling bins.

6. Disposing of Non-Recyclables

* Discard any non-recyclable objects, similar to foam, padding, or particles, within the applicable waste containers.

7. Making ready Elements for Recycling

* Clear any residual fluids or filth from the steel parts.
* Break down bigger parts into smaller items for simpler transportation and processing.

Steel Elements Non-Steel Elements
Metal Plastic
Aluminum Rubber
Solid Iron Foam

Separating Recyclable Supplies

Earlier than sending your garden mower to a recycling heart, it is essential to separate recyclable supplies from non-recyclable parts. Listed below are the steps to disassemble and segregate your garden mower’s elements:

  1. Take away the Gasoline and Oil

    Drain all gas and oil remnants from the engine and tank into designated containers. These fluids are hazardous waste and should be disposed of individually.

  2. Separate Plastic Elements

    Determine and detach all plastic elements, such because the housing, gas tank, and wheels. These supplies are usually recyclable and ought to be stored collectively.

  3. Take away Metals

    Disassemble the mower to retrieve steel parts just like the engine, blade, and body. These ferrous and non-ferrous metals are helpful recyclates.

  4. Get rid of Non-Recyclable Supplies

    Determine and take away non-recyclable parts, similar to belts, air filters, and spark plugs. These elements ought to be disposed of appropriately.

  5. Separate Batteries

    If the mower incorporates a battery, take away it and get rid of it at designated battery recycling services.

  6. Determine Hazardous Supplies

    Test for any indicators of hazardous supplies, similar to asbestos insulation or mercury switches. These parts require specialised dealing with and disposal.

  7. Clear and Kind Supplies

    Earlier than recycling, completely clear all elements to take away filth, grease, and different contaminants. Kind the supplies into designated recycling bins accordingly.

  8. Contaminated Elements

    Some parts could also be contaminated with oil or gas residues. These elements ought to be cleaned completely or disposed of with hazardous waste.

Materials Recycling Class
Plastics Recyclable
Metals Recyclable
Batteries Specialised Disposal
Belts/Filters/Spark Plugs Non-Recyclable

Preparation for Recycling

Earlier than you embark on the recycling course of, it’s important to organize your garden mower for correct disposal. Begin by draining all fluids, similar to oil and gasoline. Take away the battery and spark plug for security causes. Disassemble the mower into its main parts, separating the steel elements from the non-metallic supplies.

Finding a Recycling Middle

As soon as your garden mower is stripped down, it is time to discover a recycling heart that accepts scrap steel. Conduct on-line analysis or attain out to native waste administration firms to establish the closest facility. Some scrapyards specialise in particular sorts of scrap, so name forward to verify in the event that they settle for garden mowers.

Weighing and Fee for Scrap Metals

Whenever you arrive on the recycling heart, your garden mower’s scrap steel will likely be weighed to find out its worth. Most scrapyards use a big scale to measure the load of the steel.

The value you obtain on your scrap steel will depend upon the present market worth and the kind of steel. Ferrous metals, similar to iron and metal, usually fetch a lower cost than non-ferrous metals like aluminum and copper.

The next desk offers approximate scrap steel costs as of the date of this text. Remember the fact that costs can fluctuate based mostly on market situations and native demand.

Steel Sort Approximate Value per Pound
Iron $0.05 – $0.10
Metal $0.05 – $0.15
Aluminum $0.50 – $1.00
Copper $2.00 – $3.50

Correct Disposal of Non-Recyclable Elements

Whereas most garden mower parts will be recycled, sure non-recyclable elements require correct disposal. These parts might include hazardous supplies or pose environmental considerations. Listed below are pointers for disposing of those non-recyclable parts:

Gasoline

Drain all gasoline from the mower’s gas tank into an permitted gasoline container. Correctly get rid of the gasoline at an area recycling heart that accepts hazardous waste.

Oil

If the mower has an oil reservoir, drain the oil into an permitted oil recycling container. Take the container to an auto elements retailer or recycling heart for correct disposal.

Battery

Take away the battery pack, if relevant. Most garden mower batteries are lead-acid batteries, which ought to be recycled at designated battery recycling facilities.

Spark Plug

Spark plugs include a small quantity of platinum or iridium, which will be recycled. Wrap the spark plug in a plastic bag and take it to a scrap steel recycling heart.

Plastic Elements

Small plastic parts, such because the engine cowl or deal with grips, might not be recyclable in curbside applications. Test along with your native recycling heart to find out in the event that they settle for these kind of plastics.

Foam

Foam inserts or cushions utilized in garden mowers are usually not recyclable. Get rid of them in common family trash.

Rubber

Rubber parts, similar to tires or belts, will be recycled at designated scrap tire disposal services or auto elements shops.

Different Non-Recyclable Supplies

Another non-recyclable elements, similar to screws, bolts, or wiring, ought to be disposed of in common family trash.

Part Disposal Choice
Gasoline Recycling heart that accepts hazardous waste
Oil Auto elements retailer or recycling heart
Battery Battery recycling heart
Spark Plug Scrap steel recycling heart
Plastic Elements Test with native recycling heart
Foam Common family trash
Rubber Scrap tire disposal facility or auto elements retailer
Different Non-Recyclable Supplies Common family trash

How To Recycle A Garden Mower

When you’ve got an outdated garden mower that you simply’re not utilizing, you might be questioning what to do with it. Recycling your garden mower is a good way to maintain it out of the landfill and assist defend the atmosphere. This is learn how to do it:

1.

Drain the Fluids

Step one is to empty the entire fluids from the garden mower. This contains the oil, gasoline, and coolant. You will must check with your garden mower’s proprietor’s guide for particular directions on how to do that.

2.

Take away the Battery

The subsequent step is to take away the battery from the garden mower. That is normally a easy course of, however you should definitely check with your proprietor’s guide for particular directions.

3.

Take it Aside

After getting drained the fluids and eliminated the battery, you possibly can start to take the garden mower aside. That is normally a reasonably easy course of, however you should definitely preserve observe of the entire elements so to put it again collectively once more later.

4.

Recycle the Components

Now that you’ve the garden mower aside, you possibly can recycle the elements. A lot of the elements will be recycled by your native recycling program. Nonetheless, some elements, such because the engine and the battery, might must be recycled by a particular program.

Listed below are some further suggestions for recycling your garden mower:

  • Be sure you test along with your native recycling program to see what supplies they settle for.
  • When you’ve got any questions on learn how to recycle your garden mower, contact your native waste administration authority.
  • Recycling your garden mower is a good way to assist defend the atmosphere and preserve it out of the landfill.

    Folks Additionally Ask

    Listed below are a number of the most regularly requested questions on recycling garden mowers:

    3. How do I get rid of a garden mower battery?

    Garden mower batteries include lead acid, which is a hazardous materials. You possibly can get rid of a garden mower battery by taking it to an area recycling heart or hazardous waste disposal facility.

    4. Can I recycle a garden mower with gasoline in it?

    No, you can’t recycle a garden mower with gasoline in it. The gasoline should be drained from the garden mower earlier than it may be recycled.

    5. What elements of a garden mower can’t be recycled?

    Some elements of a garden mower can’t be recycled, together with the engine, the battery, and the carburetor. These elements should be disposed of by a particular program.