Over 80% of every scrapped motorcycle is recycled in Sweden
A survey of scrap metal in Sweden has found that upwards of 80% of every scrapped motorcycle in the country is recycled.
Swedish junkyards reportedly recycle 80-100% of every motorcycle that is scrapped, according to a survey conducted by the Motorcyclist Association (SMC).
The survey, reported by FEMA (Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations), saw SMC contact nine motorcycle scrapping companies. Of the nine, only five responded and together they handle between 500 and 700 motorcycles per year.
From the five respondents, it was found that 80-100% of scrapped motorcycles are recycled. Entire components are dismantled and resold to motorcycle customers, while the rest is recycled within current recycling guidelines for plastics, liquids and metal.
The result comes as the European Commission considers including motorcycles in a review of the end-of-life vehicle directive. Revising the directive to include motorcycles – which, for clarity, are not currently included – would mean new guidelines would be in place for motorcycles scrapped in Europe, which according to SMC and FEMA would reduce motorcycle recycling overall due to increased red tape.
FEMA also has concerns about the implications of such a directive for the motorcycle community as a whole, as well as specifically for classic and historic motorcycles. Older bikes of course require original spare parts to be affordably available to keep them running.
FEMA wants the European Commission to consider ensuring “that the possibility of controlled demolition internally remains possible,” if motorcycles were to be included in the directive’s revision, “either by including it in the directive or by allowing member states to make their own rules and regulations for own demolition.”
The European Federation is also requesting that historic motorcycles, and those of value to collectors or destined for museums, be exempted from the directive.