ENVIRONMENT AGENCY - END OF LIFE VEHICLE (ELV) DEPOLLUTION FOCUS 2016

WHAT?

The EA is preparing an ELV compliance campaign in England starting in April 2016. The focus of this will be:

• the depollution process;

• the storage of wastes produced by the depollution process;

• fire prevention;

• hazardous waste consignment notes,  consignee returns and record keeping;

• technical competence; &

• compliance with the F-Gas regulations for air conditioning unit gas

 

WHY?

Failure to fully depollute vehicles can have serious environmental impacts. If vehicles are not depolluted fully & correctly there is the potential to cause pollution & there is an increased risk of fire. Fires are one of the biggest causes of incidents in the metals recycling sector & can be devastating for business.

Undepolluted or partially depolluted vehicles processed in metal shredders increase the risk of explosion, fire & contaminate shredder residues. This is a big cause of incidents & complaints at shredder sites. 

The depollution focus is seeking to ensure standards are consistent across sites & to develop guidance & training for EA staff to ensure they regulate sites consistently.

WHEN?

The EA is running a small pilot study from January to March 2016 in the Hertfordshire & North London Area. Officers have received refresher training on the depollution process & will be testing the guidance & forms to identify information gaps & issues with the forms.

The main campaign will begin shortly afterwards  & the EA is currently prioritising sites using hazardous waste consignee returns, waste returns and other data such as Certificate of Destruction data.  Training on the depollution process will be offered to all officers.

ILLEGAL DISMANTLING

The EA is also currently running a pilot project looking into allegations of unpermitted sites breaking vehicles & selling parts on eBay. This pilot is initially looking at a specific location & the evidence & data gathered from this pilot will drive future work & investigations.

GUIDANCE

In addition to the guidance currently available the EA will be producing quick guides & information sheets for their staff which we will be sharing with MVDA for information and comment.