Car Heaven Program

The Clean Air Foundation developed the Car Heaven program in July 2000 to accelerate the retirement of older, higher polluting vehicles by offering incentives.

To date, Car Heaven has successfully engaged over 34,000 drivers to retire their old clunkers. The Clean Air Foundation estimates that this has resulted in the reduction of over 25,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, 15,000 tonnes of Carbon Monoxide (CO), and 4,000 tonnes of smog causing emissions. In addition, Car Heaven has raised over $1.2 million for affiliated charities.

Car Heaven was launched in Atlantic Canada March of 2006 with the assistance of the Canadian Diabetes Association and the Automotive Recyclers Association of Atlantic Canada. Each donor is offered a free tow (valued at $200) and a $50 charitable tax receipt for the Canadian Diabetes Association and if eligible a $1,000 incentive coupon towards a brand new GM vehicle.

The Clean Air Foundation manages all the relationships with our program partners, the development of all program materials, the Car Heaven Angels, handles the public and government relations and the overall strategic planning for the program.

Across Canada, the Clean Air Foundation also works with several key delivery partners who manage the program regionally, run the Car Heaven call centres, pick-up, dismantle and recycle the donated vehicles, issue and send out the Car Heaven incentives and process donations to partnering charities.

Regionally the Clean Air Foundation works with various groups across Canada to assist with local program delivery:

In Alberta, Climate Change Central operates the Car Heaven Call Centre and manages a series of regional partners including Calgary and Edmonton Transit, The Bike Shop and United Cycle. Vehicles donated to Car Heaven are recycled by the Pick N’ Pull Group and other participating AARDA recyclers. Program launched in October 2003
In the Atlantic Provinces, the Canadian Diabetes Association assists with program delivery, and vehicles are picked up by members of the Automotive Recyclers Association in Atlantic Canada (ARAAC). Program launched in March 2006
In British Columbia, the Car Heaven Call Centre is operated through the BC Automotive Retailers Association. Members of B-CAR (The BC Automotive Recyclers) pick up donated vehicles. Program launched September 2006
In Manitoba, the Canadian Diabetes Association assists with program delivery, and vehicles are picked up by members of the Automotive Recyclers of Manitoba (ARM). Program launched in April 2007
In Ontario, the Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association (OARA) operates the Car Heaven Call Centre and auto recyclers who are members of OARA pick up donated vehicles. Program launched in July 2000
In Québec, the Canadian Diabetes Association assists with program delivery, and vehicles are picked up by members of the Association des Recycleurs de Pièces d'Autos et de Camions (ARPAC). Program launched in July 2006
In Saskatchewan, the Canadian Diabetes Association assists with program delivery, and vehicles are picked up by participating Car Heaven recyclers. Program launched in July 2007

Much of an automobile is highly recyclable. By weight, 76% of an average automobile's content is recycled and directives in Europe are pushing vehicles to be 90% recyclable. Click to view the specific details.

If you have a car to donate, you can do it automatically by selecting Donate a Vehicle or by calling one of our local Car Heaven Call Centres:

Please note that Car Heaven covers cannot handle requests in some small communities. Speak to one of our Angels to confirm that we can handle your pick-up request.

For complete program details please visit www.carheaven.ca/legal