'Nearly 90 per cent' of cars sent for scrap recyclable
Date: 21/04/2008 12:00:00
New figures show almost 90 per cent of a typical car sent for scrap can be re-used or recycled.
The Department of Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (Berr) released stats saying about 85 per cent of such vehicles need not be dumped outright.
This is based on the fact an 'end of life' directive target saying 85 per cent of a scrap car should be recoverable was hit in 2006.
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders chief executive Paul Everitt said: "The news confirms car makers' drive to deliver in all areas of sustainability. Build-to-recycle is now an integral part of the design process."
The figures could be of interest to motor insurance policy holders forced to admit defeat after an accident and send their vehicle to a yard.
The End of Life regulation says manufacturers should contract with scrapyards or "authorised treatment facilities".
Under the rules a car's harmful liquids, tyres and airbags are removed before valuable parts like steel and recyclable plastics are recovered.
Berr figures could offer environmental peace of mind to car insurance policy holders as they show 190,000 vehicles were handled under contract with manufacturers by two designated scrap agents in 2006.