Around two million vehicles reach the end of their life in the UK each year.
These vehicles carry a number of dangerous substances which are highly toxic and can pollute the environment if not collected and appropriately treated or disposed of. End-of-life vehicles – ELVs – are classed as hazardous waste until they have been fully treated.
Liz Parkes is head of waste at the Environment Agency.
End-of-life vehicle crime is the second most prolific illegal activity after illegal demolition and construction – and we're talking about big numbers. During the second half of 2008 alone the Environment Agency focused in on 97 scrap metal and end-of-life vehicle sites which had been operating illegally. Of these high-priority sites we shut down 78. Equally as importantly, and arguably more progressively, we successfully encouraged the remaining 19 sites to become compliant. This is good news for the environment, for recycling and for legitimate players in the industry.
Success has partly been due to closer and enthusiastic links with responsible businesses in the sector and key organisations including the police and DVLA. Trade associations such as the Motor Vehicle Dismantlers Association are also keen collaborators.
Partners against crime
This development of partnerships in tackling waste crime is imperative. Information from the industry and from consumers is vital in helping us to pinpoint where the biggest problems are. In the past there's been a discrepancy between what we know and what the industry knows but the gap is closing. One of the biggest bug-bears of legitimate Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs) has, understandably, been the blatant flouting of the rules by rogue dealers. Compliant operators are becoming much more savvy about telling us if they know of or suspect malpractice.
Our preferred approach is to persuade non-compliant operators to adhere to the regulations, before resorting to prosecution. We take the long-term view that this will stop them from starting up elsewhere with damaging and destructive activities. However, if it is clear that compliance is not an option for them, we can take action to shut them down.
What can you do?
If you're an operator of a scrap metal or ELV site make sure you're properly authorised and you comply with that authorisation. Contact us if you're unsure of anything – we're here to help.
We have worked with the Trade Associations and industry to produce new guidance. This clarifies the rules and issues and makes it easier to comply with the legislation. Over 1,400 ATFs will receive this guidance in the next few months.
If you're a member of the public think about whether your vehicle is truly ‘end-of-life' before scrapping it and only take it to an authorised site.
There are currently around 1,500 authorised sites in England and Wales – you can find a list on our website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/publicregister. They will issue you with a Certificate of Destruction (CoD). This makes sure that a vehicle registered in your name that you thought was being scrapped doesn't pop up somewhere else causing pollution.
If you're unable to drive your vehicle, call your local ATF or contact a registered waste carrier. They will normally be able to collect your car (they may charge a small fee). Again, make sure they issue you with a CoD. Ensure you provide proof of your identity – you'll need this to get your CoD, which ends your responsibility for the vehicle. The ATF must also notify the DVLA.
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