Your Mercedes might have seen better days – but it’s nowhere near the end of the road. Cutting-edge recycling technologies are employed to re-utilise the majority of vehicle materials, enabling you to save valuable raw materials and significantly reduce your environmental footprint.

The recycling process can be divided into four steps, which are described below.

1. Vehicle return
Once you have identified your nearest take-back depot from the list provided, you can return your vehicle in full – without generating any waste.

2. Drainage
Drainage refers to the removal of all service fluids – such as oil, brake fluid, coolant, windscreen washer fluid and refrigerant – before forwarding them for appropriate recycling and disposal.

3. Disassembly
The first stage of disassembly is the mandatory removal of battery, oil filter, catalytic converter and wheels before forwarding them for recycling. Pyrotechnic units (e.g. airbags) are disposed of in compliance with legal procedures. This is followed by the removal of parts that can be re-used immediately or after reconditioning.

4. Shredder
The remaining stripped vehicle is sent to a shredder facility, where it is divided into different material categories and forwarded as far as possible for recycling.