News

5 Aug 02

Recycle Your End-Of-Life VW For Free!

A project to help reduce the number of abandoned vehicles in Poole is underway thanks to Volkswagen Group UK Ltd. Volkswagen are working with Charles Trent Ltd, a local vehicle dismantling company, on a research project designed to study the effects of new European legislation for End of Life Vehicles (ELV's).

Under the scheme, which runs until December 31st 2002, owners of any Volkswagen group vehicle: Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT or Skoda, that has reached the end of its life can dispose of their car, free of charge, at Charles Trent Ltd, Ringwood Road, Poole.

Shaun Robson, Consumer Protection Manager, Borough of Poole, said: "Over the last five years there has been a real decline in the value of cars for scrap to such an extent that owners now have to pay to have cars that have reached the end of their useful lives removed. Because of this the number of cars being dumped by owners has grown from 76 in 1998/1999 to 978 in 2001/2002 and the cost of removing and destroying them by the Council has therefore increased."

The End of Life Vehicles Directive will:

  • Set targets for re-use, recovery and recycling
  • Encourage manufacturers to design and produce new vehicles which assist the process of dismantling re-use and recovery
  • Restrict the use of hazardous materials
  • Require dismantling and treatment facilities to be authorised and meet improved standards
  • Require the establishment of collection schemes by 2007 to dispose of all vehicles which reach the end of their life

Chas Ambrose of Trents, said: "We've been working with the Government and most of the big car manufacturers since the early 1990's and naturally they demand very high standards."

He added: "All of the vehicles accepted into the scheme have to be treated in a very specific way. Not only are we removing all of the environmentally damaging pollutants like tyres, batteries, brake fluid, engine and gearbox oils etc., we are also examining the feasibility of reaching the 2006 target which expects 85% of cars to be recycled. This means other materials, such as plastic bumpers, glass and seat foam, which are normally landfilled, are also removed for recycling."

Owners of Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT or Skoda vehicles can deliver them to Trents during opening hours - 8am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 4pm Saturday. They will then be dismantled and recycled in line with current best practice.

Cllr Bob Williams, Executive spokesperson for Environment & Prosperity, said: "This project means that responsible owners of Volkswagens can now dispose of their vehicles safely and for free. This removes any reason for anyone to abandon them in the Borough. By doing so they will contribute to a safer environment and save money."

Notes:

For a car of no value to be scrapped, its owner would normally have to pay £35 + VAT and a collection charge if required.

Under the project, only a collection fee if required will be charged by Trents.

 

Shaun Robson, Consumer Protection, tel: (01202) 261736

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