End of Life Directive

Over 2 million vehicles come to the end of their useful life each year in the UK. This combined with the fact that non-recyclable ‘End of Life’ (ELV) vehicles account for a large percentage of all waste disposed of via landfill prompted the ELV Directive.

Up until 2007 it is the last owner’s responsibility to dispose of the ELV, thus prompting concerns in relation to additional abandoned vehicles.

From 2007 it is then the producer’s responsibility to provide free take back of all ELVs at Approved Treatment Centres.

Neo Brothers is part of the Caretakeback Approved Treatment Facility (ATF) network which is now in place to deal with manufacturers’ vehicle depollution requirements.

The legislation also contains clear recycling and re-use targets:

By January 1st 2006

85% of a vehicle’s weight is to be recycled or recovered.
5% of the waste can be used as fuel.

By 2015

95% of a vehicle’s weight is to be recycled or recovered.
10% of this waste can be used as fuel.

Hazardous Waste Regulations

New regulations are effective from 16th July 2005; it replaces the Special Waste Regulations 1996.

All ELVs which include insurance category A and B group vehicles as well as abandoned vehicles are classed as hazardous waste and all operators dealing with these vehicles will be required to hold the newly introduced licence.

It covers the movement and consignment of hazardous waste.

All sites, where hazardous waste is handled or produced, must register annually with the Environmental Agency.

Hazardous Waste means End of Life Vehicles – undepolluted. Specific items include oils – engine, gearbox, lubricating, hydraulic and brake fluids, oil filters and petrol and other fuels. Batteries, Anti-freeze and Explosive components in airbags are also included.

All waste must be segregated and stored separately on the site. No mixing of hazardous wastes or mixing with ordinary waste is allowed.

Records must be kept for a minimum of three years.

If there is a case of non compliance the liability lies with the Company and Manager and both can be charged with the offence, with fixed on the spot fines of £300 and maximum court fines of £5,000.

Tyre Disposal

New regulations come into force in June 2006 whereby no whole or shredded tyres can be sent to landfill. This will force new disposal routes to be investigated and could result in increase costs for ATF facilities and an increase in fly tipping.

Waste Oil Regulations

The Waste Incineration Directive will apply to all waste incineration installations from December 2005. This directive sets new stringent standards on waste incineration and a large volume of waste oil is disposed of via this route, usually at no cost to the producer (ATF).

It is likely that the outlets for waste oil “free” disposal will be considerably reduced due to the incineration plants not being able to comply with the new regulations. This could mean that the producer (ATF) will have to pay for the disposal of their waste oils.

The establishment of alternative sources of disposal should be given priority in view of the above regulations.

Shock Absorbers & Air Bags

The Environment Agency is now actively checking on the removal of shock absorber fluids and deployment of airbags in accordance with the ELV directive.

Depolluting End of Life Vehicles – Guidance for Treatment Facilities

A Guidance document detailing how to comply with this legislation is available on the EA website. You can find this as follows:-

www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Type into help box: Depolluting end of life vehicles.
The above is displayed as one of the options.