Government tests end of life vehicles&#39 recycling rate

Tests are already underway at Surrey-based motor vehicle dismantlers GW & G Bridges to determine how much by weight of the average ELV is removed through the de-pollution process.

” The depollution trials on a representative sample of ELVs have nearly been completed (at G W & G Bridges near Crawley). The depolluted ELVs are scheduled to be shredded at the SimsMetal site at Newport next week.“
– DTI
And, tests are set to take place next week at the giant shredder run by Sims Metal at Newport, Gwent, to determine how much recyclable metals can be removed from the average ELV.

It is thought that about 73 to 75% of the average end of life vehicle is made up of metals, which are already being recycled in the UK. European recycling targets set under the ELV Directive means that by 2006 the UK has to recycle, re-use or recover energy from 85% of end of life vehicles, recycling at least 80%.

By 2015, this target rises to 95%, with at least 85% recycling.

Recovery
The Department of Trade and Industry wants to come up with a standard figure for how much is already being recycled from fully de-polluted cars through materials like metals, oils and fluids. The DTI will then assume a certain amount is being recycled already, and will monitor the additional recovery of the harder-to-recycle materials in ELVs to ensure the gap is closed to reach the European targets.

A DTI spokeswoman told letsrecycle.com: “The depollution trials on a representative sample of ELVs have nearly been completed (at G W & G Bridges near Crawley). The depolluted ELVs are scheduled to be shredded at the SimsMetal site at Newport next week.

“Results will be analysed and are expected to be available around the end of July,” the spokeswoman added.

About 400 vehicles will be processed through the Sims Metal facility at Newport, South Wales, one of the most modern and advanced shredding installations in the world. The company said it is anticipating that the amount of metal in the average car is likely to be around 75% of the vehicle weight.