The automobile is now one of the most recycled and reused consumer goods, with components being reused in other vehicles, or for additional uses. The materials involved in its manufacturing are widely recycled, repurposed, and reclaimed as a matter of course. The main technical challenge is to recycle non-metallic components in such a way that the exceedingly high levels prescribed by law are met.
Auto recycling in the UK
Once a car reaches the end of its lifetime, it must be scrapped in an environment-friendly way at an authorised treatment facility (ATF). Due to the End-of-Life Vehicles Directive, VMs are required to provide free collection of automobiles and LCVs – a great option if it simply won’t start. The VMs have made partnerships with companies such as CarTakeBack (see below) and Rewarding Recycling, which will not just pick up vehicles that have reached the end of their service life, and provide the necessary Certificate of Destruction (CoD), but in certain situations will also reimburse the last owner of the automobile. It can then be scrapped and the parts repurposed, recycled, or utilised for energy reuse.
How to scrap your car
There are a couple of ways to scrap your vehicle in the UK, depending on whether you want to keep some parts, or get rid of them. The GOV.UK website has detailed instructions and procedures for both options, listing the documents that are required for you to scrap the vehicle.
How much can I get for scrapping my car
The amount you can get depends on the mileage, age, make and model, condition, and even the location of the vehicle. But remember, it is now illegal in the UK to be paid in cash for your old one due to the Scrap Metal Dealers act which was enacted to fight the theft of metal. Therefore you can expect the money to be transferred to your account, or a cheque to be issued.
A good source of information for how much you can expect to get for your vehicle is the CarTakeBack Scrap Car Price Index, which indicates how much money scrapped cars could bring their former owners. It is a monthly rolling index spanning the last 13 months and is updated regularly on a monthly basis, according to the prices that are being paid for scrap vehicles at CarTakeBack recycling centres throughout the UK. It takes into consideration that they come in all shapes and sizes, which affects their scrap value. The prices reflect what an average car is valued at and provides a strong guide to how the value of scrap vehicles trends from one month to the next.
Donating your car
If you just want to get rid of your car, a generous and socially responsible way of doing this is to donate it to an organization such as giveacar.co.uk, charitycar.co.uk, or oxfam.org.uk. This is run by Oxfam and has raised over £100,000 with its sale of scrapped cars.
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