The Scrapping of End of Life Vehicles: Is New European Legislation Necessary?

Abstract

The proposed Directive aims to ensure that end of life vehicles are discarded without endangering the environment. It builds upon the concept of producer responsibility and will apply to all vehicles discarded after 1 January 2006 regardless of the date of manufacture. Collection systems will be established, dismantling information will be provided, certificates of destruction issued, and targets will be set for re-use and recycling. Car dismantlers will be obliged to separate components and markets will be developed for all recycled components. The proposal aims to reduce landfill but has a difficult relationship with other environmental commitments associated with climate change. As currently drafted the Directive will have significant resource implications for manufacturers and car breakers.