Taking Recycling Seriously with CarTakeBack
When it comes to buying and selling cars, there is plenty of advice to be found that helps people choose a reputable dealer. But when it comes to selling a car for scrap, most people don't realise that it is a criminal offence for someone to recycle a scrap car without an Authorised Treatment Facility licence.
Unfortunately, despite the Government's best efforts to prosecute, there are still unlicensed operators throughout the UK, who will readily accept scrap cars.
Gone are the days when you had to pay for companies to come and take your car away - now you can get a good price for your scrap vehicle, and be content in the knowledge that it is being recycled properly.
CarTakeBack recycling centres carefully remove all hazardous materials, such as the oils, batteries and tyres, in line with Government regulations. The metal is then separated from the other materials at sophisticated metal recycling plants.
In the past, only the metal was recovered due to its value. Today, in order to meet the higher recycling rates set by the regulations, CarTakeBack separates the glass and plastic material for recycling, instead of it going to landfill.
The average car weighs approximately one tonne. The government recycling targets are 85% by weight. 
The Authorised Treatment Facility licence requires compliant businesses to invest substantially in buildings and equipment, concrete surfaces and sealed drainage systems. This is needed to stop toxic chemicals leaking into the ground where they could end up in the water supply.
All CarTakeBack recycling centres have licences issued by the Government. It is the responsibility of the Environment Agencies to carry out regular visits to ensure compliance with the regulations.
But having a license doesn't ensure compliance. Some operators don't bother to achieve the recycling targets and many face prosecution. Next year, recycling targets are going to get even tougher, but CarTakeBack's further investment in recycling ensures that it's recycling centres are already ahead of the game.
New research has found that Brits who own cars five years and older spend an average of £6,407 purchasing their cars and spend almost an additional £1,000 a year maintaining, repairing and servicing their car. But why do we keep on spending money on something that is decreasing in value each day?
Fifth Gear presenter Tiff Needell reveals his top 5 tips for minimising the cost of car ownership in a useful video, which will take you through a step by step guide on how to maintain your pride and joy until the very end. You can watch the video now at https://youtu.be/BnkjR2pxqEk