Alaska Junk Vehicle Disposal

Junk vehicles must either be recycled or properly disposed in a permitted landfill. Vehicles include cars, trucks, airplanes, ATVs, motorcycles, snow machines, outboard motors, etc. Solid waste regulations prohibit the use of junk vehicles for stabilizing slopes or controlling erosion.

Not all landfills will accept junk vehicles, in which case the vehicles must be handled by some other means. Contact your local landfill or government office for further information.

There are also vehicle donation programs in some areas. Alaska Public Media offers a program for cars, trucks, motorcycles, trailers, etc. Contact them directly to determine if they will accept your donation.

Preparing a Vehicle for Recycling or Disposal

Prior to disposal or recycling, the vehicle must have the following removed:

• Batteries
• Fuel Tank Gas
• Freon
• Crankcase Oil - Plug must be removed and all oil drained
• Brake Fluid - Master cylinder reservoir must be empty and at least one brake line disconnected
• Transmission Fluid - Transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases must be drained of all fluids
• Rear End Differential - Axle housing must be drained of all oil, cover plates and drain plugs removed
• Radiator - Lower radiator hose should be disconnected and the radiator drained

Batteries and fluids should be stored safely, prior to recycling or disposal, in leak-proof covered containers or inside on a pallet with a liner or sorbent to catch leaks. Lead-acid batteries should be recycled.

Fluids should not be mixed together in order to avoid chemical reactions and eliminate extra testing, shipping, and disposal costs of mixed materials.

Used oil can be burned as fuel in a properly designed used oil burner. Other fluids should be sent for recycling.