Vehicles may take their toll on the environment, but the car is one of the most efficiently recycled consumer products. Metals are routinely reused and recovered, and since 2015 the vehicle manufacturing industry must ensure that 95% of a vehicle by weight is recycled, reused or recovered.
Appropriate recycling is not just a legal requirement and beneficial to the environment; there are strict government guidelines that dictate when, and how, vehicles must be scrapped in order to prevent pollution while ensuring that the 95% mark is met.
Some vehicles are classed as “end of life vehicles”. These are “waste” vehicles that can’t be sold on because they are too old or damaged to be used, or which will yield more money from a scrap yard than they will from resale. We take a look at how the government defines end of life vehicles and what you need to do if your vehicle is classified as an ELV.
Private Vehicles
A private vehicle is any vehicle that has been passed from a private vehicle owner to a scrapyard (known as an Authorised Treatment Facility, or ATF). The vehicle becomes classed as hazardous waste as soon as it is handed over to the ATF; either on delivery by the owner to the scrap yard, or on collection by the scrapyard.
Commercial Vehicles
A commercial vehicle such as a lorry, bus, coach, taxi or hire car, becomes classed as hazardous waste as soon as the decision is made to scrap the vehicle. That is, once the business decides to scrap it, they can’t go out on one last job.
Abandoned, Stolen Or Damaged Vehicles
If a vehicle has been abandoned or damaged, it will be picked up from the road and held by a VRO (Vehicle Recovery Operator). No action will be taken unless the VRO is informed by the owner or another authority (such as the local authority, insurers or police). However, if the vehicle is leaking fluids or severely damaged, the VRO has to take action to avoid pollution.
A vehicle may be seized and held by a VRO if it appears abandoned, or if it is causing an obstruction and is not taxed. It won’t be classified as waste until either the time specified on the vehicle seizure notice has lapsed, or the owner has confirmed that they won’t be reclaiming the vehicle.
In the case of accident or damage, the vehicle will be held until the insurers reach a settlement with the owner or deem that the vehicle is a write-off.
Vehicle Recovery Operators also store recovered stolen vehicles for insurance companies or the police.
Since 2013, it has been illegal to offer cash for scrap vehicles. The best way to make sure that you are scrapping your vehicle in a way that is in line with the law and beneficial for both your wallet and the environment is to contact a trusted, approved vehicle recycling centre.
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