End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) reuse and recycling 

Ireland achieved an End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) reuse and recycling rate of 87.43% and a reuse and recovery rate of 95.21% in 2019, in compliance with current EU targets. An estimated 150,800 ELVs (scrap vehicles) were treated in Ireland in 2019, equating to 158,413 tonnes of waste. This is the second year that Ireland achieved full compliance with the ELV Directive targets which were fully met for the first time in 2018. Ireland is continuing to improve the reuse, recycling and recovery of valuable material from end-of-life vehicles as part of our transition to a circular economy.

Fingal County Council’s Waste Enforcement & Regulation Division continue to enforce the End of Life Vehicle (ELV) Regulations and are actively involved in an extensive ELV Project. A total of 120 inspections have been undertaken to date targeting illegal car breaking yards and unauthorised sites. 68 illegal ELV sites have been closed down and cleared with vehicles brought to authorised treatment facilities (ATF’s) for reuse, recycling and recovery. Inspections and audits are also being undertaken at ATF’s to ensure compliance with the ELV regulations.  

There are three authorised treatment facilities in Fingal where you can bring your old car for recycling free of charge:   

1/ Gannon’s City Recovery & Recycling Services Ltd. Web: www.gannonscityrecovery.ie 

2/ Industrial, Agri & Engineering Salvage Ltd. (IAES). Web: www.scrapmycar.ie 

3/ St. Margaret’s Recycling and Transfer Centre Ltd. Web: www.stmargaretsrecycling.ie 

Further information on End of Life Vehicles is available at ELVES: https://www.elves.ie/How-to-Recycle or by contacting Fingal County Council - Environment Section Tel: 01 8905000.