Any abandoned cars which are not claimed are sent to H Ripley and Company in Hailsham for recycling.
The cars go through many processes at Ripley's in order to produce as little waste as possible:
The first process which vehicles go through is de-pollution. De-pollution is where all of the harmful pollutants such are removed. Harmful pollutants include oil, petrol, diesel and brake fluid. All of these pollutants are drained off separately using specialised equipment, they are then sent to be disposed of in the correct manner.
Vehicles are then dismantled. If there are any reusable parts on the vehicle, these are saved and sold on for reuse. It is always better to reuse something than recycle as it doesn't require any energy!
Tyres are well known for being troublesome to dispose of. Ripleys also makes good use of the tyres - they are sent for shredding and are made into the soft surfaces on which horses are exercised.
The remaining metal bulk of vehicles is then processed and squashed into a 'cube'. The 'cubes' are then taken to Newhaven and transported to Spain by ship. In Spain the 'cubes' are melted down and made into steel beams for use in construction.
Please remember: we are only able to remove untaxed, abandoned cars which are on public property.
