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ELV Journal 2003 !!TOP!!

  • July 11, 2023
  • Posted by: carlelli
  • Category: Uncategorized
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ELV Journal 2003: A Review of the Developments and Trends in End-of-Life Vehicle Recycling

End-of-life vehicles (ELVs) are vehicles that have reached the end of their useful life and are destined for dismantling and recycling. ELVs are a significant source of secondary materials, such as metals, plastics, rubber, glass, etc. However, they also pose environmental and social challenges, such as waste management, resource conservation, pollution prevention, health and safety, etc. Therefore, proper management and recycling of ELVs is essential for achieving sustainable development and circular economy.

In this article, we will review the developments and trends in ELV recycling that were reported in the ELV Journal 2003, a publication that covers various aspects of ELV recycling worldwide. We will focus on the following topics:

  • The legislative framework and policy instruments for ELV recycling in different countries and regions.
  • The technical and economic aspects of ELV collection, treatment, and recovery.
  • The environmental and social impacts and benefits of ELV recycling.
  • The challenges and opportunities for improving ELV recycling in the future.

The legislative framework and policy instruments for ELV recycling

One of the main drivers for ELV recycling is the legislative framework and policy instruments that regulate the responsibilities and obligations of various stakeholders involved in the ELV life cycle. These include vehicle manufacturers, owners, dealers, collectors, dismantlers, shredders, recyclers, etc. The legislative framework and policy instruments aim to ensure that ELVs are managed in an environmentally sound manner, that valuable materials are recovered and reused as much as possible, that waste generation is minimized and disposed of safely, that costs are allocated fairly and transparently, and that incentives are provided for innovation and improvement.

The ELV Journal 2003 reported on the legislative framework and policy instruments for ELV recycling in several countries and regions, such as the EU, Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, the US, Canada, Australia, etc. Some of the main features of these frameworks and instruments are summarized below:

  • The EU adopted the Directive 2000/53/EC on end-of-life vehicles in 2000 (1), which sets out the objectives and requirements for ELV management and recycling in the EU Member States. The Directive aims to prevent waste from ELVs and promote their reuse, recycling, and recovery. It also establishes targets for reuse and recovery (85 % by weight by 2006) and reuse and recycling (80 % by weight by 2006) of ELVs. The Directive also introduces the concept of extended producer responsibility (EPR), which requires vehicle manufacturers to take back their own-brand vehicles free of charge when they become ELVs. The Directive also requires Member States to set up systems for issuing certificates of destruction (CoD) when ELVs are transferred to authorized treatment facilities (ATFs), which is a condition for deregistration of ELVs.
  • Japan enacted the Law for Recycling of End-of-Life Vehicles in 2002 (2), which aims to promote the recycling of ELVs and reduce the environmental burden caused by them. The Law requires vehicle owners to pay a recycling fee when they purchase a new vehicle or transfer ownership of a used vehicle. The fee covers the costs of shredder dust disposal (SDD), airbag recycling (ABR), chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) recovery (CFCR), etc. The Law also requires vehicle manufacturers to take back their own-brand vehicles when they become ELVs and deliver them to designated treatment facilities. The Law also sets targets for reuse and recovery (95 % by weight by 2015) and reuse and recycling (70 % by weight by 2015) of ELVs.
  • Korea enacted the Act on Resource Recycling of Electrical/Electronic Products & Automobiles in 2003 (3), which aims to promote the resource circulation of electrical/electronic products and automobiles. The Act requires vehicle manufacturers to take back their own-brand vehicles when they become ELVs free of charge or at a reasonable cost. The Act also requires vehicle manufacturers to achieve reuse and recovery rates (85 % by weight by 2015) and reuse and recycling rates (75 % by weight by 2015) of ELVs.
  • China issued the Administrative Measures on Prevention & Control of Environmental Pollution by Discarded Motor Vehicles in 2001 (4), which aims to prevent and control environmental pollution caused by discarded motor vehicles. The Measures require vehicle owners to deliver their discarded motor vehicles to qualified scrapping enterprises for dismantling. The Measures also require scrapping enterprises to recover useful parts and materials from discarded motor vehicles according to technical standards.
  • Taiwan issued the Regulations Governing Resource Recycling & Disposal Fees Collection & Utilization Management for Waste Vehicles in 1998 (5), which aims to promote resource recycling

  • The US does not have a specific federal legislation on ELV recycling, but relies on existing laws and regulations on environmental protection, such as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Clean Air Act (CAA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), etc. (6). These laws and regulations set standards and requirements for the management of hazardous wastes, air emissions, water discharges, etc. from ELV recycling activities. The US also has voluntary initiatives and programs for ELV recycling, such as the Vehicle Recycling Partnership (VRP), the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA), the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), etc.
  • Canada does not have a specific federal legislation on ELV recycling, but relies on existing laws and regulations on environmental protection, such as the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act (TDGA), the Fisheries Act (FA), etc. (7). These laws and regulations set standards and requirements for the management of hazardous wastes, dangerous goods, water pollution, etc. from ELV recycling activities. Canada also has voluntary initiatives and programs for ELV recycling, such as the National Vehicle Scrappage Program (NVSP), the Canadian Auto Recyclers’ Environmental Code (CAREC), the Automotive Recyclers of Canada (ARC), etc.
  • Australia does not have a specific federal legislation on ELV recycling, but relies on existing laws and regulations on environmental protection, such as the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBCA), the National Environment Protection Measures (NEPMs), the Hazardous Waste Act (HWA), etc. (8). These laws and regulations set standards and requirements for the management of hazardous wastes, environmental impact assessment, national environment protection measures, etc. from ELV recycling activities. Australia also has voluntary initiatives and programs for ELV recycling, such as the Product Stewardship for Oil Program (PSO), the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA), the Auto Parts Recyclers Association of Australia (APRAA), etc.

The technical and economic aspects of ELV collection, treatment, and recovery

Another important aspect of ELV recycling is the technical and economic feasibility of ELV collection, treatment, and recovery. These involve various processes and technologies for separating and recovering valuable materials from ELVs, such as metals, plastics, rubber, glass, etc. These also involve various costs and benefits for different stakeholders involved in ELV recycling, such as vehicle owners, collectors, dismantlers, shredders, recyclers, etc.

The ELV Journal 2003 reported on the technical and economic aspects of ELV collection, treatment, and recovery in several countries and regions, such as Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Germany, France,