Vehicle recycling regulations: lessons from Denmark

The number of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) in the EU is increasing continuously. Around 75 percent of an ELV are recyclable metals. The rest of the car is considered waste and generally goes to a landfill, which is increasingly regarded as a problem. The forecast growth in the number of ELVs calls for regulation that aims to minimise the environmental impact of a car. Using Denmark as an example, this article evaluates the extent to which environmental regulations have been a driving force for change in the car-dismantling trade.