Green light for social vehicle recycling initiative

The SMaRT project, which aims to help people who have been excluded from employment, has been granted planning permission to build an authorised treatment facility (ATF) at Woodrow Way, Irlam.

We now look forward to creating even more training and employment opportunities for some of the most disadvantaged people in the Salford area, as well as providing an environmental service for the local community”“
– Ronnie Wilson – SMaRT The facility will include a concrete base and de-pollution rig, to process up to 10,000 scrap vehicles a year.

SMaRT, which stands for Socially Minded and Responsible Trading, is part of the national charity, the First Step Trust, which runs 14 businesses across the UK.

Stuart Owen, northern regional director for the First Step Trust, said: “The Smart scheme shows that environmental issues and social inclusion can be tackled side-by-side and we are delighted that after so many years of planning the scheme has come to fruition.”

Scrap
At the Irlam site, which SMaRT expects to be operational in three and a half months, all potentially hazardous materials and agents including batteries, engine and gear oils, brake fluid, and other potentially damaging items will be removed from scrap vehicles.

Once processed, the ELV will be recorded as scrapped on the DVLA database.

Work at the site, which includes the laying of a concrete base to protect hazardous material from damaging the environment, and the installation of a de-pollution rig, will begin next week.

Costs
SMaRT would not disclose the full sum of its investment but it has received 2 million over three years, towards the costs of the project, from the Department for Communities and Local Government's Invest-to-Save fund and the Big Lotteries Fund.

The project already runs a garage in Salford, where it dismantles around 500 cars a year, and sends them to local firm Norton's for crushing but is hoping to become self-financing over the next few years.

SMaRT chief executive Ronnie Wilson said: “It is important to strike a balance between commercial success and our social objectives. Our job is to provide real opportunities and then to support each person to develop their full potential.”

Mr Owen said: “We now look forward to creating even more training and employment opportunities for some of the most disadvantaged people in the Salford area, as well as providing an environmental service for the local community.”