Sims Group Introduces Site Geared for ELV in the UK

Sims Group has released a new Web site that is geared to boosting the collection of recyclables for recycling purposes.

The Web site, www.recycleyourcar.co.uk, has been designed to give the company, based in Australia, an improved opportunity to obtain a steady supply of scrap metal from end of life vehicles under the United Kingdom’s environmental legislation.

Metal recycling giant Sims Group has launched a bid to secure its supply of scrap metal from end-of-life vehicles under the UK's fledgling producer responsibility system.

Under UK legislation, ELV must be recycled. For this to happen, the vehicle must be taken to an authorized treatment facility to ensure hazardous materials can be removed prior to recycling.

To facilitate the process, Sims’ Web site contains a database listing all the licensed ATFs in the United Kingdom, although not all are part of the Recycle Your Car’s approved network.

Sims' move to boost its visibility in the handlilng of scrap automobiles comes as several other large players in the UK, European Metal Recycling, and The Shredders, have both made major moves to boost their own opportunities to handle greater amounts of old automobiles through the ELV directive.

In support of its new Web site, the Sims Group notes that research shows that more than 90 percent of car drivers questioned had not heard of the ELV Directive. And of those that had, almost half were over 55. The survey was performed by Recycle Your Car.

The survey also noted that 65 percent of respondents think that the UK disposes of less than a million vehicles a year, less than half the total amount, more than two million.

Recycleyourcar.co.uk’s Derek Campbell, is not surprised by results of the survey: “Despite the fact that the ELV Directive is now in place, ignorance of its existence and objectives is worrying. If we as a society are going to catch up with most of the rest of Europe in terms of maximizing the efficiency of our vehicle recycling infrastructure, it is vital that the consumer is able to see the benefits to the environment of utilizing Authorized Treatment Facilities.”