Ireland meets vehicle reuse and recovery targets for sixth year running
ELVES, the Irish producer compliance scheme for End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs), reports that the EU ELV reuse and recovery targets of 85 per cent and 95 per cent have been achieved in Ireland for another year.
This is the sixth year that Ireland has maintained full compliance with the ELV targets, which were fully met for the first time in 2018.
ELVES says it has achieved this objective by funding additional recycling of ELV material that would not normally occur otherwise.
The newest figures available are those for 2023, which reveal that ELVES achieved a national reuse and recycling rate of 89.48 per cent, and an overall combined reuse and recovery rate of 97.17 per cent.
These compare favourably with 2022 figures of 88.5 per cent and 95.5 per cent respectively. The overall volume of ELVs processed dropped significantly in 2023, down 14.3 per cent on 2022, to 95,879-tonnes.
The data now shows a specific reuse figure, reflecting the important part reuse plays in achieving the targets and in the circular economy of vehicles.
ELVES notes that due to the way the targets are calculated, the tonnes from reuse reported only reports the non-metal proportion of these parts. The total weight of the parts reused would be significantly more that what is reported in the statistics.
The EU ELV Directive (2000/53/EC) sets out measures to promote the reuse, recycling and recovery of ELVs. It requires each Member State to meet targets of 95 per cent reuse and recovery of ELVs, with a minimum of 85 per cent reuse and recycling.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses information provided by Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs) through the National Waste Collection Permit Office (NWCPO) and other waste facilities to gather data on ELV collection and processing.
This data is supplemented by information from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), ELVES and the Department of Transport.
“Since the inception of this scheme in 2017, ELVES has partnered consistently with ATFs in our network, to improve on overall reuse and recycling rates,” according to Fiacra Quinn, CEO of ELVES. “These collaborations have helped to enable ELVES meet and exceed national targets from 2018 onwards in the areas of ‘reuse and recovery’ and ‘reuse and recycling’. To attain this standard again for 2023 is a wonderful achievement and a recognition of the efforts of all involved in this industry in Ireland.”
Click here to read more about the 2023 ELV reuse and recycling & reuse and recovery statistics.