Patricia Hewitt, Trade and Industry minister, announced on Friday that until 2007, when vehicle manufacturers will be responsible for ELV disposal costs, “last owners will continue to responsible” (see letsrecycle.com article).
“We are extremely disappointed with today’s announcement,” said David Hulse, Director General of the British Metals Recycling Association. “Placing the burden on last owners will not provide sufficient stability or security, and will undermine our efforts to prepare for compliance.”
He added: “The Government’s announcement also spells environmental disaster and a blight on local communities as a result of a significant increase in abandoned vehicles.”
The BMRA believes the UK needs a centralised funding mechanism to allow legitimate recycling firms to invest in facilities necessary to comply with the Directive in 2007, as is already happening in the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark. If the funds aren't made available, the association believes the 2 million vehicles that come to the end of their lives each year will largely end up being abandoned or left tobe disposed of by 'c;owboy' operators.
Mr Hulse said: “Even a responsible ELV owner will naturally deliver his vehicle to the operator who charges the least, which is the one who has little or no concern for the environment and therefore deliberately incurs no environmental costs.”
Vehicle manufacturers will be responsible for the costs of disposing of new cars from July of this year.
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