Illegal end-of-life vehicle scrappage targeted in Waterford

Illegal “cash for cars” businesses operating in County Waterford have been the subject of a recent cross agency investigation.

The operation focused on identifying people offering to collect end-of-life vehicles on social media, who don’t have the required waste collection permit, and may not be bringing the vehicles to an authorised treatment facility where the vehicles can be depolluted responsibly.

The incorrect dismantling of vehicles can pose a serious environmental risk.

The coordinated “mystery shopper” operation was conducted by Waterford City and County Council, in collaboration with An Garda Síochána, Revenue Commissioners, Department of Social Protection, and the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authority (WERLA).

Niall Kane, senior executive engineer with Waterford City and County Council said: “When a car is scrapped, it still contains a lot of hazardous fluids like fuel, oils and coolants, which if not removed properly from the vehicle can pose a leak onto the ground and contaminate ground water.

“Cars can also contain air conditioning gases, which are potent greenhouse gases and need to be collected properly when a vehicle is being depolluted.”

Under the European Union (End-of-Life Vehicles) Regulations 2014, it is a legal requirement that all end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) are processed through Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs).

Kane added: “Anyone who uses an unauthorised operator to dispose of an end-of-life vehicle is committing an offence and may receive a Fixed Payment Notice of €100. Always check and make sure that they have a waste collection permit.”

ELVES is the approved End-of-Life-Vehicle (ELV) compliance scheme for Ireland. Visit www.elves.ie for more info.