The Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) and Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA) have received a $1 million grant from the government to push ahead with an end-of-life vehicle (ELV) product stewardship program.

The program, announced by the assistant minister for waste reduction and environmental management, Trevor Evans, will ensure that more components – such as textiles, plastics, and electronic components – can be recycled.

VACC CEO Geoff Gwilym said: “This is a watershed moment for our industry.”

“Members of the dismantling industry and car manufacturers will see a sensible and cost-effective road map in place to deal with the over 700,000 cars coming off our roads annually. 

“This has been a missing piece in the transition of our industry to an electric vehicle dominant market.”

VACC CEO Geoff Gwilym and MTAA CEO Richard Dudley

The grant will support the automotive industry to develop a business plan to best manage the end-of-life waste streams generated from the hundreds of thousands of vehicles that end their life cycle each year.

A critical element will be to create a practical and sustainable business plan that draws on the learnings from overseas ELV programs and matches the specific business and commercial demands of the Australian marketplace.

“MTAA will collaborate with FCAI in this important project, building on the work of VACC’s Automotive Dismantlers and Recyclers Division over the years,” Mr Gwilym said.

“As FCAI is the peak national body representing product and vehicle manufacturers, it will act as the lead partner and oversee the study, grant and reporting.”

MTAA and its member constituents will have an integral role in this initiative and will provide studies and industry expertise, and facilitate international collaboration.

FCAI and MTAA concluded a formal agreement with the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources late last year and work has already begun on the project which is expected to be completed by the end of  2023.

By Neil Dowling