Visit the Recycling Organisations page for details of other organisations that may be able to provide greater insight into environmental legislation
UK and European legislation relating to waste and recycling
The UK and Europe are at the forefront of introducing legislation to encourage greater recycling, reduce landfill and pollution and encourage greater sustainability.
Sims Metal Management works in partnership with clients to fulfil the demands of current and expected legislation. Wherever possible, Sims Metal Management uses processes that exceed the requirements of government legislation. Key legislation affecting metal, plastics and other waste product recycling:
Each vehicle must undergo detailed de-pollution by an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) before the car can be scrapped. Substances covered in this de-pollution include: tyres, fuels, oils, batteries, anti-freeze and pyrotechnics. The main objectives of the directive are to:
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Reduce the amount of automotive waste sent for landfill
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Reduce the amount of hazardous materials in new car manufacture
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Eliminate pollution risks from the car disposal process, such as soil and water contamination by vehicle fluids
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Improve the environmental performance involved in the life cycle of vehicles
Sims Metal Management de-pollutes 100,000 cars per year at its ATF’s and combines them with a further 300,000 cars and vehicles from other ATFs to process 400,000 per year through our industrial scale shredders. Therefore this directive is of particular relevance to Sims Metal Management. We have an ongoing investment programme to build Directive compliant ATF facilities at our national network of scrap metal sites. We work closely with the Environment Agency and have a programme of ongoing environmental quality improvement.
Click here for further details about the End of Life Vehicle Directive
The EU’s primary driver to achieving a higher level of environmental protection and encouraging resource efficiency. It sets targets for the collection, reuse and recycling of electrical and electronic equipment.
Our sister business, Sims Recycling Solutions was set up primarily with this directive in mind and offers advanced environmentally friendly processing centres across Europe including specialist fridge, CRT (cathode ray tubes – from televisions and monitors) and IT and telecommunications equipment facilities.
Hazardous Waste Regulations restrict the production, movement, receiving and disposal of hazardous waste, without pre-treatment, by any business that operates within certain parameters. Sims Metal Management’s recycling activities are governed by a number of these regulations. We have a national environment team that liaise with The Environment Agency and all our UK sites to ensure that standards are observed. We also run continuous improvement programmes to develop operations and systems in an effort to minimise the business’ impact on the environment. This expertise is shared with clients to ensure their own compliance with the regulations.
Click here for further details about UK Hazardous Waste Regulations
Implemented to control the movement of waste (including recyclable materials) between countries. The regulations require auditable trails of all waste materials being exported, imported and moved across country borders.
Sims Metal Management exports a range of materials through five UK ports to Europe and deep sea destinations. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) provides further details along with other waste transfer legislation and guidance.
Click here for further details about trans-frontier waste shipment