It’s simple to arrange a scrap van collection with us – simply fill in a few details and we’ll get you a competitive estimate that covers, scrap vehicle collection, recycling and authorised disposal of your old van. We make it as simple as possible for you to get your scrap van picked up, and we pay you our fair amount right away. Van scrappage, which is governed by tighter rules aimed at protecting the environment, provides a slew of environmental advantages. On a worldwide basis, the automobile sector is paving the world in recycling innovation. Here, we provide professional insight into the environmental advantages of auto scrappage as well as the three-step recycling process that occurs after scrap vehicle collection.

Choosing to scrap a van has a number of environmental advantages:

Environmental standards governing the safe recycling of components and vehicle materials must be followed by the UK vehicle scrappage policy.

Recycling metals and minerals reduce the requirement for new metals and minerals to be mined.

When an automobile is discarded, its components might be reused in another vehicle. Mirrors and tyres, for example, can be reused in a new van.

It is possible to lower the quantity of new steel produced for new automobiles. Steel manufacture necessitates the combustion of coal, which releases greenhouse gases.

Regulations governing the environment:

To properly protect the environment, severe vehicle scrappage policies are in effect today.

Vehicle scrapping was significantly more destructive to the environment before the restrictions went into force, because poisonous fluids within automobiles were not thoroughly drained before they were crushed. Not only did this make the ground in and around the scrap yards potentially hazardous to human health, but the poisonous fluid also contaminated the water supply.

Due to rigorous environmental rules, the toxicity of vehicle scrapping automobiles is now regulated. Chemicals like mercury, for example, are now properly disposed of and repurposed. In vehicle scrappage schemes, the use of proper protective equipment is now at the forefront, allowing for the right and safe management of chemical materials and preventing any hazardous material leakage.

Treatment Centres with Authorization (ATFs)

A scrap vehicle is sent to an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) to be recycled, regardless of its condition or cause for vehicle scrapping. The Final disposal Vehicles Directive for members of the scrap business sets current worldwide objectives for the scrap vehicle industry, requiring ATFs to recycle 95 per cent of the vehicle. The recycling of an automobile is a three-step procedure. A discarded automobile or van will go through the three phases of the recycling process: depollution, dismantlement, and destruction, regardless of whether it has been in an accident, failed its MOT, or approached the end of its useful life.

Depollution is the first step:

The process of carefully eliminating all hazardous parts and materials in compliance with Environmental Agency Guidelines begins with depollution. This procedure is followed to maximise the effectiveness of the recycling process that will follow, as well as to minimise any possible damage that the materials may do to the environment or to humans. Materials that can be saved for later use, those that can be recycled into new goods, and those that must be disposed of are all removed during depollution. The following are some examples of materials that will be eliminated during this stage:

Coolant

Antifreeze

Brake fluid

Catalytic converter

Fuel

Battery

Air conditioning gas

Dismantlement is the second step

Following depollution, this procedure entails the complete dismantling of the vehicle. The following are the three elements that will be disassembled throughout this procedure:

The vehicle’s engine

The skeleton of the vehicle

The vehicle’s primary body

After each of the aforementioned components has been dismantled, any recycling options will be thoroughly investigated and applied. The scrap vehicle sector, for example, recycles 98-99 per cent of automotive batteries. Tyres, glass, catalytic converters, and fabric upholstery are just a few examples of components that may be recycled and reused in various ways.

Destruction is the third step

Three phases are involved in the final automobile recycling process to guarantee that the vehicle’s metal is efficiently recycled and is safe and ready for future usage. The scrap vehicle shell and chassis are crushed and shipped to a metal mill, where they will be processed as follows:

Separation by magnetism

A huge magnet is used to treat the scrap vehicle, removing any magnetic metal, such as steel.

Detinning

Detinning is the process of removing the thin coating of tin that keeps vans from rusting. The scrap metal is immersed in hot caustic soda, which dissolves the tin coating, which is subsequently discarded. Evaporation and electrolysis are two ways that can be used to salvage any residual tin.

Melting

The steel is heated and melted in a furnace. The steel is heated and then placed onto casters, where it is rolled into flat sheets that may be reused. The scrappage business prioritises environmental protection and the technique of recycling as many components of a scrap vehicle as possible, regardless of which vehicle is destroyed. The three-step recycling procedure has an approach to van recycling, assures the safest, most effective, and advantageous strategy for our environment.

What is the fate of my scrap?

Van recycling is a booming business. When a vehicle reaches the end of its useful life, it symbolises the start of a new chapter:

Interior leather may be recycled and used to make purses and belts.

Precious metals, such as platinum, are produced by catalytic converters. These can be repurposed in the pharmaceutical business or turned into wedding bands.

A lead-acid automobile battery may be recycled to make new ones up to 99 per cent of the time.

Windscreen and window glass may be recycled into bottles, construction sand, decorations, and doorknobs.

Plastic from vehicle interiors may be recycled into polymers that can be used to make carpets, garbage cans, and garden furniture.

Zinc-based galvanised bodywork may be recycled into paint, batteries, and sun lotion.