ELVES exceeds processing targets for seventh consecutive year
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released the final national figures for End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) processing in Ireland for the year 2024. For the seventh consecutive year, ELVES, the producer compliance scheme for End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) in Ireland, has ensured that national reuse, recycling and recovery targets have been successfully achieved and exceeded.
The released figures reveal that Ireland achieved a national ELV reuse and recycling rate of 92 per cent and an overall combined reuse and recovery rate of 99 per cent.
These figures are the highest achieved to date and exceed the targets set under the ELV Directive (2000/53/EC) of 85 per cent reuse and recycling and 95 per cent reuse and recovery of ELVs
Since first meeting the ELV targets in 2018, Ireland has unfailingly maintained full compliance with the EU set targets. Recent years have seen a steady increase in target achievement with 2023 figures of 89.48 per cent and 97.17 per cent improving on 2022 figures of 88.5 per cent and 95.5 per cent.
ELVES contributes significantly to this national success through the funding of additional recycling that would not normally occur otherwise. In addition to the ELV targets, ELVES also works to improve the processing of ELVs through raising awareness about the correct way to scrap vehicles.
ELVES’ messaging to the public is simple, when scrapping a vehicle, only deal with a permitted recycler, known as an ATF (Authorised Treatment Facility), and get a CoD (Certificate of Destruction) where applicable.
A CoD ends the owners’ responsibility for their scrapped car or small van. In 2024, the ELVES network of ATFs processed over 78 per cent of the total CoDs issued nationally.
Fiacra Quinn, CEO of ELVES, said: “Since its formation in 2017, ELVES has partnered with the hardworking ATFs across our network, to steadily improve overall reuse and recycling rates, consistently meeting and exceeding targets since 2018.
“We congratulate everyone involved and view these most recent results as formal recognition of the collective efforts of the industry. Ireland must continue to prioritise the reuse, recycling, and recovery of valuable materials from ELVs as part of its transition to a circular economy and ELVES will continue to play its part.”
ELVES is currently processing 2025 ELV data and will continue to support national ELV target achievement. Find out more about how to recycle your vehicle and the location of your nearest ELVES ATF at www.elves.ie.