Disgraceful legacy of Britain’s used cars 07/02/2008 Disgraceful legacy of Britain’s used cars An oil tanker worth of harmful fluids seeps into the environment each year   The equivalent of a small oil tanker full of toxic fluids is seeping into the environment each year, due to drivers not disposing of their old cars properly. This ongoing hidden environmental disaster may go unnoticed by the media, but is just as damaging to the environment as any high-profile oil spill. The extent of this damage has been revealed by Recycleyourcar.co.uk, the leading network of authorised treatment facilities (ATFs) that helps drivers dispose of their old cars in an environmentally responsible way. Recycleyourcar.co.uk estimates that each year, two million vehicles come to the end of their useful life, each containing 22 litres of hazardous waste products.  Less than half of that number is recorded as being recycled properly – with the remainder either being scrapped at unauthorised facilities or being left to rot on the side of roads or dumped on waste ground and beauty spots across the country. Many drivers are unaware that they have to go to an ATF to dispose of their old cars, in line with the End of Life Vehicle (ELV) Directive. The directive requires that vehicles are depolluted and all hazardous liquids are removed to prevent damage to the environment. The main components left over are fuel, engine oil, coolant and transmission oil, as well as screenwash and brake fluid. This amount of harmful pollution happens year on year and is only set to get worse as the number of vehicles on Britain’s roads increases. “These figures are deeply unsettling and bring to light the level of environmental damage that is occurring in the UK annually due to the incorrect disposal of vehicles,” said Recycleyourcar.co.uk’s Simon Palmer. “The damage may be quiet and relatively unnoticeable but this does not make it any less of a problem.  “I believe a number of drivers are unaware they need to ensure their vehicles go through the correct depollution procedures in order to prevent creating an opportunity for chemicals to seep out into the environment, causing lasting damage to the eco-system, their local water supply and wildlife. Disposing of a car really is a simple process and it will not take much to put an end to the environmental damage we are doing.” As it stands, less than half of drivers disposing of an old car currently obtain the correct paperwork – known as a Certificate of Destruction – to prove their vehicle has been treated and recycled. Drivers can find their nearest ATF by visiting www.recycleyourcar.co.uk, and ensure their unwanted vehicle doesn’t add to the already growing environmental problem. Ends. For more information on www.recycleyourcar.co.uk, please contact Zoe Liberty or Richard Postins at Prova on 01926 776900.   Notes to editors:   Recycleyourcar.co.uk is an initiative from Sims Group UK Limited. Its aim is to provide the UK car owner with an easy to use facility for finding their nearest authorised treatment facility.    Sims Group also aims to provide, through www.recycleyourcar.co.uk a total package of support for independent authorised treatment facilities across the country.    Sims Group’s core business is metal recycling, with an emerging business in recycling solutions. Headquartered in Australia, Sims earns around 70 per cent of its revenue from international operations in the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, North America, New Zealand and Asia. Sims has over 3,500 employees, annual turnover of A$5.5 billion and is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX CODE:SGM).