A web-based computer system developed by WPC Software is helping the UK’s Authorised Treatment Facilities meet tough new vehicle recycling targets.

There are an estimated 30 million motor vehicles on Britain's roads today and around two million are scrapped each year.

During 2006 about 25 per cent of all vehicles that were de-registered from the DVLA database were disposed of by Cartakeback, which was formed by 11 UK shredder operators in response to the EU’s End of Life Vehicle Directive.

The regulations, which came into full force at the start of 2007, were introduced to improve the recyclability of scrapped vehicles and reduce waste and pollution. Instead of drivers paying to get rid of their old vehicles, manufacturers now have to provide a free take-back service for complete vehicles that are free from additional waste.

Cartakeback has formed a national network of more than 250 Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs) that are responsible for de-polluting and disposing of end-of-life vehicles. The national service provider also issues certificates of destruction to owners, who can then use them to deregister their vehicles from the DVLA database. It has secured exclusive contracts with major vehicle manufacturers who are responsible for 75 per cent of vehicles on the road.

But Cartakeback required an innovative IT solution to manage the huge volume of vehicle data regarding scrapped cars and vans - and turned to WPC Software for help. WPC has worked closely with Cartakeback to develop a bespoke, online software system to help it meet European targets to recycle 85 per cent of end-of-life vehicles.

Cartakeback’s Financial And Data System (FADS) enables ATFs to record all information about de-polluted vehicles – including details of batteries, tyres and waste fluids – and provides statistical information for motor manufacturers and the Department of Trade and Industry about the nature of disposal.

FADS informs treatment facilities straightaway whether or not vehicles should be accepted free of charge or if the owner should pick up the bill. In addition, the system automates the production of electronic certificates of destruction which are issued by the DVLA to prove that a vehicle has been disposed of lawfully.

The web-based system is fully hosted online by WPC which means Cartakeback does not need to have its own in-house IT department. FADS is available to all registered ATFs in the Cartakeback network and is used by about 500 operators.

Andrew Tromans, Cartakeback’s Development Manager, said: “WPC have worked closely with us from the outset and have been successful in the creation of a bespoke system which meets all of our requirements in order to help us to manage this exciting new industry of end-of-life vehicle de-pollution and recycling."

“During the time that we have worked with WPC, FADS has evolved into a fantastic and essential management tool which has received much praise from not only the contracted businesses that use the system on a day-to-day basis, but also other associated organisations that have benefited from the detailed and accurate information which we have produced using the system”.

WPC Director Alan Walker said: “We are delighted to have helped Cartakeback meet the demands of tough new vehicle recycling legislation - and help the environment. We have used our expertise developing vehicle information systems to provide Cartakeback with a bespoke solution to meet its specific needs."

“It was an interesting and challenging project, and we look forward to working closely with other organisations that require tailor-made solutions to help deal with the unique challenges they face.”