Waterford ‘cash for cars’ businesses investigated in operation involving Gardaí

Waterford City and County Council recently conducted a coordinated mystery shopper operation aimed at tackling illegal “cash for cars” businesses operating in the county.

It focused on identifying people offering to collect end of life vehicles on social media, who don’t have the required waste collection permit, and may not be bringing the vehicles to an authorised treatment facility where the vehicles can be depolluted responsibly.

The operation took place in collaboration with An Garda Síochána, Revenue Commissioners, Department of Social Protection, and the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authority (WERLA).

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The incorrect dismantling of vehicles can pose a serious environmental risk.

“When a car is scrapped, it still contains a lot of hazardous fluids like fuel, oils and coolants, which if not removed properly from the vehicle can pose a leak onto the ground and contaminate ground water. Cars can also contain air conditioning gases, which are potent greenhouse gases and need to be collected properly when a vehicle is being depolluted,” Niall Kane, Senior Executive Engineer with Waterford City and County Council, said.  

Under the European Union (End-of-Life Vehicles) Regulations 2014, it is a legal requirement that all end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) are processed through Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs). 

“Anyone who uses an unauthorised operator to dispose of an end-of-life vehicle is committing an offence and may receive a Fixed Payment Notice of €100. Always check and make sure that they have a waste collection permit,” Niall added.

You can check to ensure an operator is authorised by checking the following;

• Ask to see a copy of their waste collection permit.  Authorised collectors are required to carry a copy of it.
• Authorised collectors have their name and their permit number of their vehicle,
• Contact your local authority or check the National Waste Collection Permit Office website www.nwcpo.ie.
• Ensure you receive a Certificate of Destruction when handing over your vehicle.

Waterford City and County Council urges all vehicle owners to avoid illegal operators and protect our environment by using authorised facilities.

For more information on scrapping end-of-life vehicles, visit www.waterfordcouncil.ie or call 0818 10 2020.