The UK's Road Towards Net Zero

Every time a vehicle is recycled responsibly, the UK gets a little cleaner and closer to achieving Net Zero.

According to the Department for Transport’s 2024 report, the UK’s transport sector causes 28% of domestic greenhouse gas emissions. With the UK legally committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050, every industry, vehicle, and tonne of recycled metal is important in building a sustainable future.

The scrap industry is at the heart of this transition since reusing car parts, recycling metals, and scrapping vehicles responsibly reduces the need for new materials and emissions tied to manufacturing.

We’ll explore what Net Zero means, how it connects to the scrap industry, and why choosing to scrap your vehicle today helps build a sustainable future.

Subscribe To Our Weekly Newsletter

No spam, notifications only about new products, updates.

What does Net Zero mean?

Net Zero isn’t about stopping all emissions overnight, as that would be zero emissions, which isn’t realistic yet. Instead, Net Zero means cutting emissions as much as possible and then removing or cancelling out what’s left so that the total impact equals zero.

It can be confusing, so think of it as a balance:

On one side, you have the emissions we release: From cars, factories, heating, flights, and energy use.
On the other side, you have the emissions we remove or prevent: Through planting trees, carbon capture technology, and recycling systems that stop new emissions from being created.

Net Zero is when the two sides are equal and we only emit what we can remove or balance.

While sometimes used interchangeably, Net Zero and carbon neutral aren’t the same. Carbon neutral focuses on balancing emissions, while Net Zero requires emission cuts before any balancing takes place.

The UK’s legally binding target is to reach Net Zero by 2050.

Are Net Zero and Zero Avoidable Waste the Same?

Net Zero and Zero Avoidable Waste are not the same.
Net zero focuses on cutting carbon emissions and greenhouse gases.
Zero Avoidable Waste focuses on reducing, reusing, and recycling materials so that nothing ends up in a landfill.

Net Zero: Emissions-based goal for 2050, focused on achieving a balance between the greenhouse gases the UK produces and removes.
Zero Avoidable Waste: A resource-based target for 2050, aiming to prevent avoidable waste through repair, reuse, and recycling.

They both align with the circular economy, which keeps valuable materials in use for as long as possible.

For example, recycling steel from scrapped cars saves up to 74% of the energy required to make new steel, directly reducing emissions. So, while zero waste and Net Zero are different, both benefit when old cars are recycled efficiently.

Learn more with our FAQs:

How Net Zero Impacts the Automotive & Scrap Industry

Net zero is reshaping how the UK builds, uses, and disposes of vehicles. Transport remains the largest source of emissions in the country, producing almost a third of the UK’s total greenhouse gases.

To meet the government’s 2050 Net Zero target, the automotive sector is under pressure to change from how cars are manufactured to how they’re recycled at the end of life.

As part of this transition, the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will end by 2035, marking a major step towards cleaner transport. Therefore, electric and hybrid vehicles are now leading the change by cutting emissions on the road, but they also introduce new recycling challenges.

Unlike traditional engines, EV batteries contain valuable and sometimes hazardous materials that must be handled with care and recovered responsibly.

For the scrap industry, this transformation creates both opportunity and responsibility. Demand for recycled metals, plastics, and rare materials is rising as manufacturers search for sustainable supply chains. At the same time, Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs) play a critical role in ensuring all vehicles are processed safely. The move towards Net Zero is pushing the scrap industry to modernise, innovate, and help drive the UK’s low-carbon future.

The Scrap Industry’s Role in Net Zero

Every scrapped car represents a step toward Net Zero. Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs) recover metals, plastics, and fluids safely, ensuring they re-enter the supply chain rather than end up in landfill. This process supports the circular economy, a model essential for achieving both Net Zero and zero waste goals.

Steel Recycling: Reduces energy use and CO2 emissions.
Part Reuse: Extends product life and reduces manufacturing demand.
Battery Recovery: Prevents hazardous waste and recovers rare metals.

Why Older Cars Are Key to Change

Your older car might still run well, but it’s often the biggest contributor to road emissions. Many were built before modern efficiency standards and produce more CO₂, nitrogen oxides, and particulates than newer vehicles.

By removing high-emission cars from the road, the UK can make faster progress towards its Net Zero goals while improving air quality for everyone.

With new initiatives such as Clean Air Zones (CAZs) and Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ), it’s becoming harder and more expensive to drive older, higher-polluting vehicles, especially since these zones are gradually expanding across the UK. Daily charges quickly add up, and as restrictions tighten, resale value will fall fast.

Scrapping your car now is a practical way to save money and reduce your carbon footprint. Instead of paying to drive an outdated vehicle, you can recycle it responsibly through Scrap Local at a guaranteed price and help the UK build a cleaner, greener transport network for the future.

Why Now Is the Best Time to Scrap Your Car

Environmental and Financial Benefits

Scrapping your old car is one of the most direct ways to contribute to Net Zero. The metal, parts, and fluids from your vehicle will be recycled, reused, or safely disposed of, giving new life to old materials and reducing waste.

Scrap Local offers guaranteed prices and free collection, making it easy to recycle without added stress.

Avoiding Future Costs

As the Net Zero deadlines approach, older petrol and diesel cars will lose value and face higher running costs due to taxes, fuel prices, and emission charges. Acting now means you’ll get the highest price for your car while staying ahead of policy changes.

Scrap Local Makes It Simple

With a trusted network of ATFs across the UK, Scrap Local ensures every vehicle is processed responsibly and contributes to the Net Zero journey. Our process is quick, transparent, and environmentally conscious.

Get Your Free Scrap Car Quote Today & Join the UK’s Path to a Cleaner Future.

Checklist Before Scrapping Your Car

Documents: You’ll need your V5C logbook and photo ID.
Remove personal belongings from the vehicle
Understand your vehicle: EVs and hybrids require special handling for battery recycling.
Choose an Authorised Treatment Facility: Scrap Local only works with trusted, licensed yards around the UK.
Notify the DVLA: You’re responsible for informing the DVLA once your car is scrapped. This can be done online or by post, but our drivers are happy to help at collection and will offer guidance if you’re struggling.

For Further Help Read Our FAQs:

FAQs: Net Zero, Scrapping & Sustainability

Below are some common questions related to topics covered in this guide, including the 2035 petrol and diesel ban, EV battery recycling, and how the scrap industry supports the UK’s Net Zero goals.

Scrapping your car reduces harmful emissions by removing older, less efficient vehicles from the road. Older petrol and diesel cars often produce significantly more CO₂, nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), and particulate matter than modern or electric models. By scrapping them, you immediately cut those pollutants from the transport system.

Vehicle recycling also conserves natural resources. Around 75% of a car’s weight can be recycled, including steel, aluminium, and copper. When these metals are recovered and reused instead of being mined or smelted from raw materials, the process uses less energy, cutting carbon emissions by up to 74% for steel production alone.

Scrapping also prevents landfill waste and chemical pollution. Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs) safely drain and dispose of hazardous fluids like engine oil, brake fluid, and coolant, keeping them out of waterways and soil.

Finally, every vehicle scrapped supports the circular economy, where materials are kept in use for as long as possible. That’s essential for achieving both the UK’s Net Zero 2050 and Zero Avoidable Waste 2050 goals.
The 2035 target applies to new car sales only, not existing vehicles.

You’ll still be able to drive your petrol or diesel car after 2035, but it will likely become more expensive and less practical over time.

The UK government’s plan to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is part of the wider Net Zero Strategy, aimed at phasing out fossil-fuel vehicles gradually. However, the cost of running older cars is expected to rise because:
- Fuel prices may increase as demand for petrol and diesel drops.
- Clean Air Zones (CAZs) and ULEZ expansion will charge high-emission vehicles more frequently in towns and cities.
- Insurance and maintenance for ageing vehicles are likely to become higher as parts become harder to find.
So, while you can technically still drive a petrol or diesel car after 2035, many owners will find it more affordable and environmentally responsible to scrap or switch to a cleaner alternative.
When an electric or hybrid vehicle reaches end-of-life, its battery is handled very differently from a conventional engine.

ATFs and specialist recyclers follow strict environmental and safety regulations to ensure these high-voltage batteries are depolluted and processed responsibly.

Here’s what typically happens:
- Inspection and removal: Trained technicians safely disconnect and remove the lithium-ion battery pack.
- Re-use or “second life”: If the battery still holds capacity, it may be refurbished or repurposed for energy storage (for example, powering homes or solar farms).
- Recycling and recovery: If it’s no longer usable, the battery is dismantled to recover valuable materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and copper. These materials are then reintroduced into the supply chain to make new batteries or electronics.
This process prevents hazardous waste from entering landfills, reduces the need for new mining, and supports the UK’s transition toward a low-carbon transport system, which are all key elements of achieving Net Zero.
The scrap industry is a cornerstone of the UK’s Net Zero strategy. It directly contributes to carbon reduction and resource efficiency through recycling, reuse, and waste prevention.

Here’s how:
- Lower manufacturing emissions: Recycling metals like steel, aluminium, and copper from end-of-life vehicles reduces the need to mine, refine, and transport raw materials, which are all energy-intensive processes.
- Circular economy support: By keeping materials in circulation, the scrap industry minimises waste and creates a continuous loop of resource use rather than a linear “take–make–dispose” model.
- Energy savings: Using recycled metal consumes significantly less energy than producing new metal from ore, reducing industrial CO₂ emissions.
- Sustainable employment: The industry promotes green jobs and local recycling infrastructure, both essential for a low-carbon future.
In short, every vehicle responsibly processed through an ATF saves emissions that would otherwise occur in manufacturing, helping the UK move closer to its 2050 Net Zero goal.
Realistically, no. Net zero cannot be achieved without the scrap and recycling industry.

Manufacturing, transport, and construction all depend on raw materials that carry heavy carbon costs. Without recycling, these industries would continue relying on energy-intensive extraction and processing, locking in high emissions for decades.

The scrap industry provides the infrastructure for circular resource use, allowing metals, plastics, and components to be repurposed again and again. This prevents waste, cuts emissions, and reduces demand for virgin resources, all essential conditions for a Net Zero economy.

Additionally, as electric vehicles become more common, the scrap industry will play a growing role in battery recycling and material recovery, helping secure domestic supplies of critical minerals and reducing the UK’s dependency on imported resources.