MVDA

MVDA

Monday 22 February 2016

OIL SKIMMER KEEPS AUTO-DISMANTLER IN COMPLIANCE


Environmentally Sound Solution to Unwanted Oil Reduces Disposal Costs
 

The Oily Issue
Auto Spares and Salvage, like many auto-dismantlers, operates in a rural/farmland area. There are strict EA laws in place that require them to be responsible for any pollutants they might produce. Failure to comply with these laws can result in hefty fines for the companies
When it comes to oil, the main goal for auto-dismantlers is to keep the oil from reaching any natural water source. To do this, site operators must keep the pits or interceptors clean. Should the interceptors become too full, there is the chance that the oil or hydrocarbons can contaminate surface or ground water. It’s also crucial to keep the interceptors clean in case there is a flood - heavy rainwater can cause the interceptors to run over flow.
The Costly and Dreaded Job
Emptying interceptors is a job that can be messy, time consuming, and labour intensive. Additionally, it can also be very expensive. Phil Wood, Auto Spares and Salvage’s Yard Manager, is responsible for waste management and implementing environmental policies. Wood explained to Abanaki UK salesman Graham Smith that Auto Spares and Salvage would empty the interceptor with a capacity of 6,000 gallons 3 times a year at a cost of over £2000. Wood added that Auto Spares and Salvage is always striving to “set an example to others”. With that thought in mind, Wood set out to find a solution that would make cleaning the interceptors easy and efficient for site operators, would reduce removal costs, and was an environmentally sound solution.
A Green Solution
After learning about Abanaki Oil Skimmers Wood & arranging a site visit, Abanaki’s Graham Smith visited the site & recommended Abanaki’s PetroXtractor oil skimmer.
The PetroXtractor is a dependable and cost-effective solution to unwanted oil in water where access to the fluid surface is limited. It acts using the interceptors existing recovery and monitoring wells & it can reach depths of 30 meters or more without the use of pumps. It can be installed in existing wells by mounting it on a flat surface above the well casing with removal rates of up to 45 litres per hour.
Why Choose an Oil Skimmer?
Oil skimming makes use of the differences in specific gravity and surface tension between oil & water. These physical characteristics allow the belt to attract oil and other hydrocarbon liquids from the surface of the fluid. Often, oil skimming by itself will reduce oil to an acceptable level of water purity. Depending on the characteristics of the liquid, it is possible for oil skimmers alone to reduce oil content to less than five parts per million in water. The unit can be used as a pre-treatment before filtration, and in conjunction with coalescing systems as part of an industrial wastewater treatment plan. Oil skimmers offer a cost-effective and environmentally sound solution to oil in water problems.
How the Savings Stacked Up
Typically the PetroXtractor’s 12v DC battery is run on solar power, or can use 12V vehicle batteries.  The skimmed oil is collected into mobile containers, which can then be transferred to a larger waste oil tank.
Wood explains that some of the key benefits in utilizing the PetroXtractor are that it is simple to use & so easy to train someone on how to operate the skimmer.  It has made drastic improvements at keeping costs down. Initially the interceptor was cleaned several times a year with costs over £2000. Since implementing the oil skimmer the interceptor is now emptied once a year at the cost of only £900. Wood says, “It’s one of the best investments made by the company and has proved to be successful over a number of years”.
By utilizing a belt oil skimmer for their auto-dismantling process, Auto Spares and Salvage was able to reduce removal costs, stay in compliance, continue with their efforts to be environmentally aware and responsible, and improve the day to day tasks for site operators.
To find out more about the oil skimming technologies Abanaki offers visit www.abanaki.co.uk. Or call Graham Smith at +01179 616679 or email skimmers@abanaki.co.uk.
About Abanaki Corporation
Abanaki, the world leader in oil skimmer products, manufactures a wide range of products to remove oils, greases, solvents, and related hydrocarbons from water. Skimmer models are available with removal rates ranging from 1 to 200 gallons per hour in both stationary and portable systems. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, Abanaki has more than 40 years’ experience in this field.

Sunday 21 February 2016

SCRAPYARD BOSS GIVEN SUSPENDED PRISON SENTENCE

Wiltshire scrapyard and recycling company owner receives a prison sentence for running an illegal waste site in Melksham.

The owner of a Wiltshire scrapyard and recycling company has received an 18 month prison sentence suspended for two years for running an illegal waste operation from a site in Melksham. The case was brought by the Environment Agency.

Lee Hazel, owner and director of Melksham Metals Recycling Ltd, was sentenced yesterday at Swindon Crown Court following two earlier court hearings in June 2014 and November 2015.

On August 23, 2011 an enforcement officer from Wiltshire Council visited the Lowbourne area of Melksham to investigate a report of illegal waste tipping. He found piles of chalky stone, tarmac road planings & concrete pipes on land at Queenfield Farm beside the old Wiltshire to Berkshire Canal.

The officer reported the incident to the Environment Agency. At the entrance to Queenfield Farm he noticed a trail of ‘chalky liquid’ in the road similar in colour to the waste stone he had seen tipped at the farm. He followed the trail back into Melksham to a road leading to Melksham Metal Recycling.

On September 6, 2011 Environment Agency officers visited Queenfield Farm where they saw a Melksham Metals lorry loaded with stone waste drive onto the site.

In addition to stone waste tipped at the site, waste transfer ‘fines’ were also seen. These fines are small particles of waste resulting from a screening process.

Following the visit, the Environment Agency wrote to Lee Hazel at Melksham Metals asking him to provide copies of waste transfer notes for the previous two years.

Lee Hazel claimed the lorry seen at Queenfield Farm on September 6 was taking stone waste to a permitted site near Chippenham. This contradicted what his driver had told Agency officers. Mr Hazel claimed he had never tipped waste at the farm.

Further inquiries revealed that Melksham Metals had a contract to remove waste stone from a local stone masons yard for disposal at a licensed site. When an Agency officer visited the yard he saw cut pieces of stone identical to the stone waste he’d seen at Queenfield Farm.

A court heard Melksham Metals was paid nearly £178,000 to remove waste from the stone masons yard between November 2004 and May 2012.

The Environment Agency had warned Lee Hazel on several occasions about unlawful waste activities including the illegal disposal of waste at Queenfield Farm & depositing waste on land without an environmental permit & the requirements of duty of care.

Lee Hazel had been involved in the waste industry for 20 years & held a Certificate of Technical Competence (CoTC) by the Waste Management Industry Training & Advisory Board (WAMITAB).

‘It is important waste materials are stored, handled and disposed of correctly to protect the environment & safeguard human health. The defendant in this case continued to operate outside the law despite being put on notice that what he was doing was illegal & ran the risk of prosecution,’ said an Environment Agency spokesman.

In June 2014 Lee Hazel was found guilty of four charges in relation to the dumping of waste on land at Queenfield Farm, Melksham. In November 2015 Lee Hazel pleaded guilty to a further five charges in relation to unauthorised waste activities at his Station Yard premises.

Melksham Metals Recycling Ltd was also convicted of similar offences, but will not be sentenced until after a confiscation hearing in June 2016. This hearing will decide the financial benefit obtained by Lee Hazel & make a confiscation order in relation to that benefit.

Fines & costs against both Lee Hazel & his company will also be decided at that hearing.

Saturday 20 February 2016

100 ABANDONED VEHICLES DISCOVERED IN WELSH SLATE MINE


Up to 100 abandoned cars have been discovered 200 feet underground in a closed slate in Ceredigion, Wales, the Daily Mail has reported.

The cars are thought to date from the 1970s.  The mine is thought to have been working from 1836 & closed in 1960.

Friday 19 February 2016

HUNDREDS OF FAKE HONDA AIRBAGS SOLD ON EBAY

Police have launched an investigation after Honda Motor Europe alerted them to counterfeit airbags being sold at half manufacturers' prices.
 
Hundreds of motorists are being warned their cars have potentially counterfeit airbags following the arrest of a suspect accused of selling fake equipment on eBay.
 
The man was arrested in Dorset on Thursday as officers told 680 people to urgently return their vehicles to a dealer to have their vehicles checked after buying his stock online.
 
Superintendent Maria Woodall, City of London Police said: "We are urging anyone who has concerns about a possible counterfeit car part they may have to contact their nearest authorised car dealer."
 
Officers launched an investigation after Honda Motor Europe discovered counterfeit airbags were being sold at half their normal prices. Factory analysis showed "they would not deploy as a genuine airbag would on collision, presenting a clear danger to the public".
 
City of London police said. "Every individual has been advised to make contact with their local dealership immediately so that their vehicle receives the necessary checks to ensure it is safe," a statement added.
 
It is understood that 148 of the consumers affected purchased suspected counterfeit Honda CRV and Accord airbags.
 
A 34-year-old man was arrested in Blandford Forum on Thursday morning on suspicion of counterfeiting and money laundering offences. He remained in police custody as officers seized approximately 100 suspected counterfeit airbags, financial documents and computers.  Staff from the Ministry of Defence were also at the address as a precaution due to the presence of explosives in the airbags.
 
As a result of investigations, 680 people were identified by officers from payment records relating to eBay vendors using the names ‘EUTrading’, ‘OMNADRENIAK1984’ and ‘barbo2007.’ It has been established that purchases have been made by a wide range of small and medium-sized businesses and individuals. Officers are currently establishing if the remaining 532 purchases concern other counterfeit manufacturer car parts.
 
The counterfeit Honda airbags had been on sale since September 2013 for approximately £170. Philip Crossman, managing director of Honda Motor Europe’s UK subsidiary, said: “The safety of customers is of paramount importance, and we aim to eliminate counterfeiting. We strongly recommend any modification to the airbag systems of our cars be undertaken by a trained technician in an official dealership. If customers are concerned, they should visit their local dealership.”
 
More information can be found here

MVDA had already warned, & indeed shown, Government, Thatcham & Motor Insurers that counterfeit airbags were widely available on the internet.  We have similarly demonstrated the use of eBay by criminals to sell car parts.

Tuesday 16 February 2016

9TH INTERNATIONAL ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE ON AUTO RECYCLING - MALAYSIA 20-24TH APRIL 2016

The Malaysia Automotive Recyclers Association (MAARA) invites you to participate in the 9th International Roundtable Conference 2016 (IRT) to be held at the historical city of Malacca in Malaysia from the 20th to 24th April 2016.


This is organized with the Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI) & supported by the Global Automotive Recyclers Alliance (which consist of the national associations from Canada, USA, Australia, European, China, Japan & Korea).

The IRT on Auto Recycling is an international event held once every 2 years by one of the national associations of the Global Automotive Recyclers Alliance.

Over 300 foreign & local delegates are expected, including international auto recyclers associations, industry, professional speakers & Government Agencies. The event includes an international conference, factory visits and reception party.  Topics to be covered will include the global automotive recycling issues, country reports & discussion on issues relating to international standards & policy for automotive recycling.

The registration fee is $US500.

See the website www.irt2016.greenparts.my for more information.

IRT 2016 Program highlights   

For full details see the website

20th April (Wednesday): Arrival of Foreign Participants

  • 7.30pm–10.00 pm: Welcome Dinner hosted by the IRT organizer (to be held at Concord Shah Alam – Malaysia Buffet
21st April (Thursday ): Factory Visit
  • 8.15 am – 2.30 pm factory visit – PROTON at Shah Alam
  • 8.00 pm –10.30pm= Networking Dinner hosted by the IRT organizer at Sky Lounge, Hatten hotel.
22nd April (Friday ) : - IRT Conference

  • 9.45 am - 10.05am:  JARA-Japan: “ELV Concepts – Japan Experience” & “Towards Global Challenge for Japan Premium Recycled Parts Sales “
  • 10.05am -10.25am EGARA-Europe: Europe- Implementation of ELV Recycling in EU: A Learning Experience for the ASEAN Economic Community
  • 10.25am – 10.45am MAI-Malaysia: Malaysia’s Perspective to Aftermarket Auto Recycling Transformation
  • 11.15am – 11.35am AARTI-China: R&D on Recycling of Used Parts & Component
  • 11.35am – 11.55am ARC – Canada: Technological Challenges for Today’s Auto Recycling
  • 11.55am – 12.10pm MAARA/AGA-Malaysia: Using Automotive BIG Data to Drive Sustainability
  • 2.45 pm – 3.00 pm  ARA-USA: Impact of Global Recycling Parts/OEM
  • 3.00 pm  -  3.15 pm ARAA-Australia: “Recycling Technologies for Automotive Electronics Components & Systems” or another title is : “Export & Import- Policy of Recycle Parts and Components”
  • 3.15 pm  -  3.30 pm  MAI-Malaysia: National Remanufacturing Policy

22nd April (Friday ) : - IRT Gala Dinner
  • 7.00 pm  -  10.30 pm
23rd April (Saturday ) : ( Country Report )

  • 8.30am – 9.00am  = Registration of participants
  • 9.00am – 9.10am  = Opening speech by MAARA President
  • 9.10am – 9.30am  = Country Report No.1 (Canada )
  • 9.30am – 9.50am  = Country Report No. 2 (USA )
  • 9.50am – 10.10am  = Country Report No.3 (Australia )
  • 10.10am –10.30am = Country Report No.4 (Europe )
  • 10.30am –10.45am = Morning Tea Break
  • 10.45am – 11.05am = Country Report No.5 (Japan)
  • 11.05am – 11.25am = Country Report No.6 (Korea )
  •  11.25am – 11.45am = Country Report No.7 (China )
  •  11.45am – 12.05pm = Country Report No.8 (Malaysia )
  •  12.05pm – 12.45pm = Roundtable Q&A

ILLEGAL CAR BREAKERS - 37 REPORTED IN THE FIRST WEEK

In the first week of launching our new 'report an illegal car breaker' feature on the MVDA website we have received 37 reports on 36 illegal car breakers.

In 2 of these cases, the operators had recently been permitted.
 
The others we have now reported.

Please keep letting us know - we are here to fight for our members.
 
You can anonymously report what you think is an illegal car breaker using this link:http://www.mvda.org.uk/illegaloperators.aspx

Thursday 11 February 2016

ILLEGAL CAR BREAKERS - 13 REPORTED IN JUST A FEW DAYS

It's been just a few days since we launched the 'report an illegal car breaker' function on the MVDA website & already we have received 13 reports.
 
We've checked them all, & surprisingly none seemed to have an Environmental Permit.  Only 1 appeared to be a registered Scrap Metal Dealer.
 
All have now been reported to CrimeStoppers.  These are then automatically fed through to the national waste crime team.
 
We will report in bulk to the Environment Agency once a month.
 
So a big THANK YOU  to everybody that has submitted information (although it may not be members that have reported them).
 
Please, keep the reports coming

Tuesday 9 February 2016

REPORT AN ILLEGAL DISMANTLER OR SCRAP YARD – NEW TOOL ON MVDA WEBSITE


Following hard on the heels of the Scrap Metal Dealers site visits & the U16 Exemption study that we carried out last year, we have now added a new function to the public side of the MVDA website.

It is now possible to send us information about suspected illegal operators.  We just ask for some basic info such as the company name, address & any website, eBay or Facebook address, to allow us to identify the operator.

We do not record or store any information on the person submitting the report – it is completely anonymous.

The information about the suspected illegal operator is logged & we will then check & update our database, & if we think they are illegal we will report them to the Environment Agency & Crime Stoppers.

Last year MVDA identified & reported more than 230 illegal car dismantlers.

You can view the new webpage here.

Friday 5 February 2016

SCRAP CAR BUSINESS OWNER FINED BY COURT


A Cornish man who operated an illegal car-breaking business in St Cleer and Bodmin has been ordered to pay £5,484 in fines and costs.
 
The court heard that the sites used by James Darke, for his JapScrap company over a 2-year period, were ‘unsightly with a clear risk of pollution’. The case was brought by the Environment Agency.
 
Darke, of The Sidings, Bugle, was fined after pleading guilty to depositing, keeping and breaking waste vehicles at Unit C, South West Business Park, St Cleer, without an environmental permit between 5 July and 9 September 2013, and at 11, Paardeberg Road, Bodmin, between 20 March 2014 and 20 March 2015.
 
The Environment Agency told the court that the permits were designed to ensure that people managing waste sites did so without having an adverse impact on the environment or community.
 
All car breaking locations require environmental permits as the activity poses a significant risk to the environment, even on a small scale.
 
In June 2013, an Environment Agency officer received a report of illegal car breaking at St Cleer and found that there were no environmental permits or exemptions for the location.
 
Further investigation found that the site was breaking up cars without a permit and selling the parts on-line. Much of the advertising and marketing of the business was done via Facebook.
 
The operator was first provided with advice and guidance on how to legitimately operate his business.  James Darke admitted the offences to the Environment Agency, agreeing to either comply or cease to trade.  He was offered a caution but did not respond and further investigation in March 2014 showed he had moved to the Bodmin site and was carrying out a similar business on this site.  Darke was given a final chance to accept a caution in January 2015, but did not respond.
 
The Environment Agency said the offences had been deliberate and driven by financial motives.
 
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said:
Darke was aware, after the first investigation, of what was required. He did not respond to the formal caution offer and simply relocated his car breaking business and carried on, without a permit, until caught again. Breaking vehicles without an environmental permit poses significant risk of pollution, and Darke had ignored several warnings, and then moved from one site to another.”
 
Drake admitted 2 offences of operating a regulated facility of depositing, keeping and breaking waste vehicles without an environmental permit, contrary to regulations 12(1)(a) and 38(1)(a) Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) regulations 2010.
 
Darke was fined £640 and ordered to pay a £64 victim surcharge and £4,780 costs by Bodmin magistrates.

Thursday 4 February 2016

SS COMPONENTS


 
 
 
 
 
 
Worldwide Supplier of Automotive Components to the Re-manufacturing Industry
We purchase components for export and re-manufacture.

We are looking for: -
Brake Calipers (Front & Rear)
      
  • Starters & Alternators for re-manufacture
  • Starters & Alternators for export
  • Power Steering Racks
  • Manual Steering Racks
  • Power Steering Pumps

We also buy bulk scrap Starters & Alternators.

If you can help with the supply any of the above please contact Carl Lloyd on (01924) 497440 or mobile 07711 377748.

 We can arrange to visit on request.

SMMT PRESS RELEASE: AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY LAUNCHES NEW SCHEME TO RECYCLE OLD CARS & VANS


95% of every car and van must be recycled, up from 85%.

Vehicle manufacturing plants reduce waste to landfill by 90% since 2000.
 
The British automotive industry has committed to helping thousands of consumers recycle their old vehicles with a free take-back service, designed to help owners whose brand may no longer sell in the UK.
 
Under the End of Life Vehicles Directive, when cars and vans up to 3.5-tonnes reach the end of their lives, they must be disposed of in an environmentally responsible way. However, while manufacturers provide this service free of charge, some motorists can face difficulties if the brand is no longer trading and has no parent company. When this happens, the car or van becomes what is known as an ‘orphan vehicle’.
 
On behalf of its members, The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has now taken on responsibility for these vehicles by partnering with recycling company Autogreen to ensure that all unclaimed cars and vans can be disposed of and recycled responsibly – with no cost to the consumer.
 
This scheme will be especially valuable to owners of orphan vehicles in remote areas of the country who can find it difficult to get to a recycling point. Autogreen has committed to collect vehicles nationally, to make sure that all vehicles can be easily disposed of in a safe, environmentally friendly way for free.
 
Cars are already one of the most efficiently recycled consumer products, with manufacturers now tasked with recycling and recovering at least 95% of old vehicles.1 Vehicle manufacturing plants are also following this trend, with less than 2% of their waste going to landfill in 2014, down from around a quarter a decade previously and representing a 90% reduction since 2000. In the same period, energy and water usage have been cut by 48.1% and 43.6% respectively, while ‘well to wheel’ CO2 emissions are down by a significant 40.2% per vehicle produced.2
 
The new take-back system will help ensure that the estimated 700,000 orphan vehicles still on British roads have a route to responsible disposal.
 
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “This new partnership is further evidence of just how seriously UK vehicle manufacturers take their environmental responsibilities. The industry has a strong record, not just on recycling, but on emissions, energy and water usage reduction as a result of huge investments into innovative technologies, production processes and facilities. Thanks to this latest initiative, every motorist in Britain can now be assured that when their vehicle reaches the end of its life it will be disposed of in a way that is not just ecologically sound, but cost-free – no matter where they live.”

PRESTIGE SALVAGE CURRENTLY AT AUCTION - SALVAGEMARKET.CO.UK

www.salvagemarket.co.uk




Wednesday 3 February 2016

MVDA QUARTERLY MAGAZINE

Is there anybody else in your company/ organisation that would like to receive the MVDA quarterly magazine & bulletins?

As you know, it's packed full of the latest news & views, & informative articles.

We can post copies direct to them or enclose extra copies with your usual dispatch.

Just let the office know their name & postal address....

Alternatively, let us have their e-mail addresses & we will add their details to the e-mailing list.
Not a MVDA member?

To receive copies of our quarterly magzine, daily e-bulletins & much more contact us at
www.mvda.org.uk