End of Life Vehicles
The end of life on the road for a SEAT doesn't mean that we no longer take responsibility for it. We take the entire life cycle of our vehicles and their impact on the environment into account.
Good Practice for a Better Future
Just because a SEAT is engineered for performance doesn’t mean that we don't consider the future too.
Here are three good reasons why buying a SEAT is good for today and tomorrow:
- Weight reduction - We always aim to reduce our vehicles' weight so as to minimise fuel consumption. How? By working with lighter materials. For example, high resistance steel considerably reduces weight, as does smelting the magnesium in the framework and steering wheel.
- Aerodynamics - At a speed of 60mph, 70% of a car’s propulsion energy is consumed to overcome wind resistance. By continuously improving the aerodynamics of our vehicles, we produce cars with markedly reduced fuel consumption. And their sleek, streamlined designs are rather easy on the eye too.
- Engine efficiency - We design engines with highly precise technology. This means energy loss via heat and mechanical friction is minimised whilst optimising fuel consumption. That's advanced technology for an incredibly simple outcome.
Reusability and Recyclabilty
"Prevention before reduction, reduction before reuse, and reuse before recycling." This is the key principle of our environmental management approach.
- We incorporate systems and materials that enable all SEAT models to comply with existing recycling requirements.
- We take great care to select environmentally-friendly materials
- We choose parts that are easy to recycle
- We reuse recycled materials wherever possible
- We mark the materials of different car parts to simplify dismantling for recycling
- We make the dismantling of vehicles easier with modular building processes and specifically developed joint and tuning systems
Dismantling vehicles is a complex process that we're constantly working to improve. That's why we carry out ongoing dismantling studies on all SEAT models. This provides valuable information for the advancement of our recycling practices - and for the production of our future cars.
What Happens to Your SEAT at the End of its Life?
When a SEAT reaches the end of its road life, it doesn’t have to end up on the scrap heap. In fact, most of its components can be reused.
How?
SEAT and other manufacturers created the International Dismantling Information System (IDIS). This system provides dismantling companies with the information they need to cause the least amount of environmental damage. This includes instructions for disposal of fluids such as oil, fuel and cooling liquids, and the dismantling of major recyclable parts.
After a vehicle has been decontaminated and divided into parts, the shredding process starts. The ferrous and non-ferrous metals are separated from the shredded material. After their reprocessing treatment in the iron and steel industry, they will eventually be used in the production of a brand new SEAT. Meanwhile, any shredded non-metallic remains are separated into various sub-groups for recycling or reuse.
Drop-off Locations
Volkswagen Group UK has partnered with Autogreen Ltd to provide a Government approved national network of certified dismantling facilities. They will take care of the environmentally friendly recovery your car once it has reached the end of its life.
To find your nearest Volkswagen Group UK appointed recycling facility visit rewardingrecycling.co.uk or call 0800 542 2002.
We also take back a large range of used parts from vehicle repairs and remanufacture on an industrial scale. These parts are sold across the world with a full manufacturer's guarantee under the name Genuine Parts.
Industrial batteries
As a producer of industrial batteries under the Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009, we, SEAT UK, produce NiMH, Li-Ion and lead-acid industrial batteries. We are obliged to take back free of charge, waste industrial batteries supplied to an end user for treatment and recycling. We are required to do this in any calendar year we place new industrial batteries on the market. If any of our customers or in certain cases other end users, require us to take back Industrial batteries, they should contact us at environment@vwg.co.uk. We will agree the necessary arrangements for the return, proper treatment and recycling of the waste industrial batteries.
Portable Batteries
Volkswagen Group UK Ltd is a member of the ERP producer compliance scheme. To find your nearest portable battery disposal facility and find out more about the benefits of battery recycling, please visit https://erp-recycling.org/uk/.
Automotive batteries
As a producer of automotive batteries under the Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009, we , SEAT UK, are obliged to collect, free of charge and within a reasonable time, waste automotive batteries for treatment and recycling from final holders e.g. garages, scrap yards, end-of-life vehicle Authorised Treatment Facilities, Civic Amenity Sites, etc. We are required to do this in any calendar year we place new automotive batteries on the market.
If you require us to take back any automotive batteries, please contact us at environment@vwg.co.uk. We will agree the necessary arrangements for the collection, proper treatment and recycling of the waste automotive batteries.
