Recycling

The end of life vehicle regulations introduced strict recycling targets of 85%, by weight, per vehicle, since the beginning of 2006, (a slightly lower target of 75% applies to older vehicles which were first registered before 1980), in order to prevent the negative impact which vehicles have on the environment at the end of their life. The metallic content of a vehicle (75%) has always been recycled as, even when taking into account market fluctuations, this usually has sufficient value. This still, however, leaves a further 10% to be recycled in order to reach the target. Some of this can be achieved at the Authorised Treatment Facility via the de-pollution process in which all hazardous materials such as fluids, tyres and batteries are removed and a small amount via the re-use of parts.

Nevertheless, even when taking the de-pollution and parts recovery process into account, most Authorised Treatment Facilities fall short of the 85% target.

Cartakeback, however, is able to ensure that all Authorised Treatment Facilities in its network achieve the required 85% target for every vehicle processed, through the further recycling of non-metallic materials, which is carried out by Cartakeback’s ten shredder operator- shareholders, using post shredder technologies.

Steve Norgrove, Head of the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) Producer Responsibility Unit, wrote in a recent letter to Authorised Treatment Facilities, “This is not an aspirational target, and to miss it is a criminal offence punishable by a fine. It has been clearly shown that the 85% target is achievable.”

When you have the need to dispose of an end of life vehicle, we urge you to consider the environmental consequence of your actions and to select an Authorised Treatment Facility which is part of a system that enables compliance with the EU recycling targets.

Further information on the recycling process is shown below.

All waste materials which have been recovered during the de-pollution process are stored securely in special containers. These materials are then collected by licensed waste management companies before being re-used, recycled or lawfully disposed of in line with environmental law.

Batteries

Lead acid batteries are largely made up of plastic (polypropylene) and lead. The casings are processed into new battery casings and the lead is recycled into new lead plates and other battery parts.

Oil Filters

Oil filters which have been collected from end of life vehicles are sent for processing to separate the metal from the oil. The resultant oil is processed along with other waste oil and the metal is recycled into new steel.

Tyres

Around 50 million waste tyres are produced each year of which approximately 70,000 tonnes originate from end of life vehicles.

With the EU landfill directive 1999/31 now in force which banned the landfill of whole and shredded tyres from July 2006, Cartakeback recognises the need for the development of new recycling methods.

There are already a number of alternatives in operation, ranging from the incineration of tyres in cement kilns and for energy recovery, the re-sale of part worn or re-treaded tyres to the re-use of granulated tyres in sports surfaces and road construction.

Waste Oil

The majority of waste oils collected from our ATF network are transported to specialist processing plants where they undergo heating to reduce the water content followed by filtration to remove solids and particulate material.

The resultant product is used as a fuel in industries such as power generation, metal smelting, mineral drying, brick making and road construction.

Brake Fluid

Brake fluid is a complex chemical product which undergoes only minor degradation in service and generally only fails to meet performance requirements because of its hydroscopic properties, i.e. it absorbs moisture.

Waste brake fluid is carefully collected and stored separately in order for specialist recyclers to restore it to its original specification.

Water

The management of engine coolants, which are an aqueous solution containing approximately 40% of glycols and smaller amounts of anti-corrosion additives, poses considerable difficulties.

Recovery of glycol by distillation is in most cases uneconomic but the search for ways to recycle this material continues.

Fuel

In the near future we expect to be able to send both petroleum & diesel for reuse and recovery although whether these fuels will be fully accepted back into the automotive fuel chain remains to be seen due to the quality and quantity of the material.