Problems Regarding the Calculation of Recycling and Recovery Rates for End-of-life Vehicles in the European Union Member States

Purpose: The paper discusses the problems of efficiency of implementation of Directive 2000/53/EC treating on end-of-life vehicles. Design/Methodology/Approach: The objective of the Directive was to harmonize the disposal processes of ELVs in the EU member states. At that time, a need existed to unify the recycling systems within the entire EU to avoid unnecessary migration of vehicles to countries of less stringent environmental requirements as well as to assure sufficient environmental performance of the recycling process. The paper discusses the problems that appeared in the European recycling networks and evaluates the environmental performance of the networks based on the recovery and recycling rates obtained in individual member states. The authors did a critical review and identified problems that appeared in the European recycling networks and evaluated the environmental performance of the networks based on the recovery and recycling rates obtained in individual member states. Findings: The authors identified the problems related to the calculation of the vehicle weight when entering the recycling network that translate into the obtained rates. Practical implications: Based on the presented considerations, example actions were presented related to the improvement of the monitoring of the performance of the ELV disposal systems in the EU member states, the purpose of which is the reduction of the gray market and assurance of comparability of the recovery and recycling rates throughout the years and among individual member states. Originality/value: The originality and value of the study are given by the fact that it examines the implications of national approaches to recycling and recovery rates calculation on the performance of recycling networks within EU.