Fixed Payment Notices issued for illegal disposal of End-of-Life Vehicles

The operations saw a total of 360 End-of-Life Vehicles (scrap cars) removed from the sites and brought to an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) for proper recycling and disposal.  

It is envisaged that a further 150 Fixed Payment Notices will be issued by Fingal County Council to the owners of other scrap cars found on Dunsink Lane and St. Christopher’s Lane.

The End-of-Life Vehicles Regulations 2014 require that the owner of a scrap car only discard that vehicle as waste at an ATF. Failure to do this is an offence for which a Fixed Payment Notice of €100 applies. A certificate of destruction (COD) should be obtained from the ATF for the disposal of the vehicle and to confirm that it is off the road.  If the car is not brought to an ATF and a COD obtained, the owner of the vehicle may be issued with fines for motor offences or be accused of illegal activity, if their vehicle is later involved in a crime.

The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. David Healy said: “Everyone needs to take responsibility for their waste, and this is even more important for our larger possessions such as vehicles. Unauthorized ELV sites are a burden on the environment in Fingal and pose a significant risk for both environmental and personal safety. Fixed Payment Notices will apply to owners of vehicles in these sites, so I encourage residents to check the details of anyone offering this service.”

AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council said: “Unauthorised End of Life Vehicle (ELV) sites have been highlighted as a National Waste Enforcement Priority for local authorities across the country and Fingal County Council has completed operations in clearing some sites in the county. Fixed Payment Notices are part of this campaign and are important to deter people from using these illegal services. There are legal and authorized treatment facilities available where residents can bring their vehicles to be properly recycled, free of charge.”

It has come to the Council’s attention that some recovery truck operators have been charging members of the public to “scrap” their car. An ATF may charge a pick-up fee if they collect your scrap car, but they will not charge you to scrap it – this service is free. Members of the public should remember to keep details of who they hand their car over to and, if they sell it, make sure to fill in the change of ownership details themselves and return this to the Department of Transport in Shannon. This will prevent unscrupulous buyers from leaving the car in the person’s name and then using it to carry out illegal activity.

David Storey, Director of Environment, Climate Action and Active Travel said: “Fingal County Council have identified several unauthorised ELV sites across Fingal. These sites will be inspected in 2021 using a multi-agency approach and shut down if found to be operating illegally without the necessary authorisations. Fixed Payment Notices will be issued to the owners of vehicles found at any illegal site.”

Unauthorised storage and dismantling of ELV’s poses a significant risk to the environment. ELV’s contain a range of waste oils and other fluids which can have a significant effect on the environment if not depolluted and disposed of properly. ELV’s contain many hazardous materials such as lead acid batteries; fluids, including lubricating oil, coolant and brake fluid; and catalytic convertors, all of which must be disposed of safely in order to prevent pollution.

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.