Strange Duck - Tech Talk in Plain English

Ok, this is not quite a tech related post, but you can consider this your non-tech mechanical tip. You can donate your old car to charity - do good, feel good about getting that stinky clunker off the road, and receive a tax receipt to boot - without exerting much energy at all.

My old beater died and since I had no idea how to get rid of it, I asked some friends, one of which told me about the programs that allow you to donate your car to a charity of your choice. They come and pick it up, tow it free, take it apart and sell the good bits, give the proceeds to your charity, and dispose the rest properly. Some even super nicely - in an eco friendly green manner.

A quick Google turned up a few options for us Canadians on where to donate our cars. As usual Americans get a bit more choice.

Donate your car to charity

Charity Cars

Car heaven

Here are a few other reasons to pat yourself on the back:

You will be making an invaluable contribution to the less fortunate in your community.

They handle the forms for you, saving you time and trouble.

Most believe in eco-friendly recycling, making sure all standards of vehicle disposal are reached and kept. That means hundreds of tonnes of beaters are recycled annually. The balance of your beater is reduced in volume by 90% - and that saves a lot of landfill space.

Getting a beater off the road is good for the air. That’s the stuff we breathe, and here in Toronto, it gets so bad that we are told to keep our children inside so the cars can go out and play. Older than 1995 vehicles emit 20 times more hydrocarbon emissions than a 2001 vehicle, and 65 times more than a 2007 vehicle. That’s too much.

I am donating because it is simple, convenient and nice. I save time, and I do good.