International Review of Waste Management Policy - Department of ...

23.2.5 Country-specific Characteristics: Sweden
The car industry is Sweden’s greatest exporting sector, accounting for more than 15%
of total exports in 2004 (Volvo being the most common brand). 500 The total number of
cars has been increasing, but the proportion of cars scrapped has been declining.
Sweden has a long history of legislation relating to ELVs. From the first scrappage
laws in 1975 (based on a deposit refund system) to the wide-ranging ordinance on
producer responsibility in 1998, both laws already covered all aspects of the EU
Directive. Similarly to the Netherlands, a charge for the disposal of ELVs is levied on
the sale of all new vehicles.
The reporting of the targets required by the directive is controlled by the Swedish
Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA). Vehicle producers must submit data which
allows SEPA to assess the degree of reuse/recovery/recycling of vehicles. This is then
published in annual reports on how waste subject to producer responsibility is dealt
with, and includes recommendations by SEPA that address any emerging problems.
In addition, the Swedish Car Recyclers Association (SBR) carries out an annual survey
of its members to produce data on the number of scrapping certificates issued and
quantities of waste for a number of selected materials derived from the scrap.
23.2.6 Country-specific Characteristics: England
The UK implemented separate parts of the ELV regulations in both 2003 and 2005.
Like many other Member States, it was late doing so. 501 The implementation of take
back for all cars was left until 2007 – the final date for which producers would be
responsible for all vehicles placed on the market under the Directive.
Under the Directive, authorised treatment facilities (ATFs) have to obtain a permit
from the regulatory agencies in order to legally dispose of vehicles to a minimum
technical standard. The two main service providers in the UK are Autogreen and
Cartakeback. They work as industry associations to manage the network of
dismantlers and recyclers. The network has grown extensively, from approximately
650 facilities in 2003 to 1,400 by 2006.
The growth in the network has been pushed by additional regulations being
implemented in the UK whereby an average 75 % of last owners should be within 10
miles of the nearest ATF, and no one should be more than 30 miles (or else free take
back from the home applies). 502
500 M. Fergusson and IEEP (2006) End of Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive: An assessment of the current
state of implementation by member states, Report for The European Parliament: Policy Department
Economic and Scientific Policy.
501 M. Fergusson and IEEP (2006) End of Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive: An assessment of the current
state of implementation by member states, Report for The European Parliament: Policy Department
Economic and Scientific Policy.
502 In remote areas where this is not possible, one service contractor (Cartakeback) has established
collection points to which vehicles can be delivered for onward transportation to an Authorised
Treatment facility for de-pollution.
434
29/09/09