The region\u2019s declining air quality has prompted regional planners to seek federal funding to create a long-term plan aimed at reducing air pollutants<\/a>, such as ozone, or ground-level smog.<\/p>\n As part of the SHiFT initiative, auto recyclers such as All Import Auto Parts agree to retire engines from an end-of-life vehicle. Retiring an engine, the carbon producing unit of the car, prevents it from being used or sold elsewhere, continuing to drive emissions.<\/p>\n Older or faulty engines contribute to poor air quality as they tend to emit more emissions than a newer or more efficient engine, said Jason Howell, All Import Auto Parts general manager.\u00a0<\/p>\n SHiFT exists to make sure those engines are retired in an environmentally mindful way.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAs vehicles age, they can often become less efficient,\u201d Hearn said. \u201cWhile there have been incredible gains in maintenance and management of vehicles, it is also true that older vehicles are the dirtiest on roadways.\u201d<\/p>\n Parts from disassembled cars line the shelves at the All Import warehouse. Those parts include batteries, tires, air bags and engine control modules, among many other recyclable or resellable elements.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhat we\u2019re really trying to do is extend the life of the car parts that are still good,\u201d Howell said.\u00a0<\/p>\n In addition to refurbishing parts, Howell and his team aim for their business operations to also be environmentally friendly.<\/p>\n Howell\u2019s store is equipped with a water separating system, pulling oils from cars to prevent fluids from going through sewer drains. All Import staffers utilize electric-powered tools and machines, such as power washers and forklifts, to minimize the need for fuel-burning equipment.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cEverything we do has a positive carbon footprint here,\u201d Howell said.<\/p>\n Taking a vehicle to a professional automotive recycler also prevents \u201cgross polluting\u201d cars<\/a> \u2014 vehicles that emit significantly higher levels of harmful chemicals \u2014 whether from disintegrating in the environment or being reused, he added.<\/p>\n \u201cYou want to get rid of it, but you don\u2019t want it to just go sit in the field,\u201d Howell said. \u201cYou want to make sure it goes to the right place.\u201d<\/p>\n Instead of being resold, the engines are melted to be reused as steel or aluminum metal.<\/p>\n The recycled metal could be reused to make a variety of other everyday items, such as kitchen appliances.<\/p>\n Reusing metals and other parts also helps offset the need for producing more materials, which also lessens emissions from manufacturing plants and transporting goods.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re not having to go out and mine that precious metal out of the ground,\u201d Howell said. \u201cYou\u2019re saving emissions by just buying one used part.\u201d<\/p>\n All Import is a \u201cgreat organization\u201d that represents a system of North Texas auto recyclers that are partnered with SHiFT, Hearn said.<\/p>\n It takes a wide network of auto recyclers to keep up with the need to find a second \u2014 or even third \u2014 life for retired cars.<\/p>\n \u201cThe demand for disposable transportation that starts out in the U.S. gets extended through export to other countries, but continues to pollute the environment,\u201d Hearn said. \u201cAs an alternative, SHiFT gives you a guaranteed outcome.\u201d<\/p>\n Nicole Lopez is the environment reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at nicole.lopez@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/20260106_AutoRecycler2-1024x683.jpg\")
Jason Howell, pictured Jan. 6, and his employees disassemble vehicles outside of the main warehouse at All Import Auto Parts in Fort Worth. (Fort Worth Report | Nicole Lopez)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/20260106_AutoRecycler4-1024x683.jpg\")
Tire rims stored at All Import Auto Parts, pictured Jan. 6, are removed from retired vehicles and sold to customers at discounted prices. (Nicole Lopez | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n