VW Van Centre:
Activities to improve vehicle recycling
In addition to continually improving new vehicle design, Volkswagen Group also takes a leading role within the CARE Group which works to improve the recycling of those vehicles already in use. Through CARE we have close links to the recycling industry, Government and academia.
The Volkswagen Group is also at the forefront of material recovery technology, extracting material from the residue that would normally go to landfill. A number of patents are held and a large-scale plant costing nearly €20m has been announced in Salzgitter in Germany. The Plant will process approximately 70,000 tonnes of ASR (Automotive Shredder Residue) a year recovering usable sand, fluff and a high calorific value fuel substitute for blast furnaces. The so-called VW Sicon process uses innovative combinations of new and existing mechanical separation techniques.
All battery producers in the UK are required to be registered with the Government as part of an EU-wide initiative to increase battery collection/recycling and completely prohibit the landfill/incineration of automotive and industrial batteries. Volkswagen Group UK Ltd is registered as a Producer of Batteries under Registration Number BPRN00504.
Vehicle Batteries
When an automotive (starter) battery in your vehicle reaches its end of life, it can be delivered to the facilities listed below for disposal.
- Garages
- Civic Amenity and Recycling Centres
- Local authority battery collection schemes (please check with your local council)
- Licensed Scrap yards
- Authorised Treatment Facilities (car dismantlers etc).
To find out the easiest way to dispose of your battery please search the "Recycling near you" directory
If requested, Volkswagen Group UK Limited can arrange for the automotive batteries it has produced to be collected from the types of sites listed above. Should you wish to arrange a collection, please telephone 01908 548584 and ask to speak to a member of the environment team.
Electric powered or "hybrid" vehicles
From 1 January 2010, businesses that place hybrid/electric vehicle batteries onto the UK market have an obligation to arrange for the treatment and recycling of these batteries. If you have such a battery and need advice, please contact us on 01908 548584.
Portable Batteries
Volkswagen Group UK Ltd is a member of the BatteryBack producer compliance scheme. To find your nearest portable battery disposal facility and find out more about the benefits of battery recycling, please visit www.batteryback.org.
