EU Mandates 95% Vehicle Recycling; Israel Lags on Regulation

The European Union has implemented new regulations requiring 95% of a vehicle's weight to be recycled, a significant move to manage end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) and their waste. The updated ELV directive, effective August 13, aims to increase the reuse of materials like metals and plastics in new cars and prevent the export of vehicle "junk" to developing nations.

Under the new rules, by 2032, 15% of plastic components in new cars sold in the EU must be made from recycled materials, rising to 25% by 2036. Similar targets are set for recycled metal content, with a minimum of 20% by 2032. The regulations also tighten requirements for dismantling vehicles, mandating specific recycling quotas for aluminum and copper, and prohibiting the export of ELVs from Europe starting in 2031.

In contrast, Israel, which deregisters approximately 255,000 vehicles annually, has yet to establish comprehensive regulations for vehicle recycling. While Israeli law addresses the recycling of specific components like tires and batteries for electric vehicles, the majority of a car's materials are not covered by any regulatory framework. The Ministry of Environmental Protection stated it is "examining" the issue, a process that has reportedly been ongoing for five years without significant progress.

European countries are already achieving high recycling rates. In 2023, Belgium recycled 93% of its scrapped vehicles, Iceland 95.5%, Greece 89%, and Germany 86%. The EU directive aims for 85% of a vehicle's weight to be recycled for industrial use and an additional 10% for energy recovery.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection indicated that it is closely monitoring EU developments and considering adopting European regulations, subject to local legislative processes. It noted that end-of-life vehicle batteries are classified as hazardous waste and must be transferred to specialized treatment facilities. The ministry also mentioned ongoing efforts to establish recycling plants for vehicle batteries and is exploring an "extended producer responsibility" framework for all vehicle waste streams, with a public comment period planned for the proposed regulations.