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End-of-life is the least studied phase of the vehicle life-cycle. Dismantling and shredding are the principal processes used for vehicle end-of-life (VEOL) management in Canada and the U.S. and are typically perceived as distinct processes, each one having its own unique challenges. Dismantling typically precedes shredding, with vehicle parts and materials removed for direct reuse, for remanufacturing and reuse, or for recycling. Dismantling may be perceived as a non-preferred alternative, compared to shredding, because it is principally a manual process which can be cost prohibitive in the North America/western labour market. However, there has been no exhaustive assessment of the dismantling process. Because of the complexity in automobiles, significantly more needs to be known about dismantling, its benefits and impacts, its efficiencies and inefficiencies, and its relation to other ELV management processes.

To improve our understanding of the ramifications of the end of-life vehicle (ELV) management practices currently employed in North America, life cycle assessment (LCA) methods will be used to analyze ELV dismantling processes, ELV shredding and baling systems, and shredder residue (SR) recovery/treatment processes. Further, it is proposed to use the ELV studies to demonstrate how the LCA process may be employed to identify and evaluate tradeoffs between alternative technologies and unit operations for handling and processing ELVs. Literature will be examined and case studies conducted, in cooperation with industrial recycling partners, on working ELV management facilities (e.g. dismantlers, auto wreckers, wet/dry shredding processes, baling processes and SR processors). Subsequently, “successful” ELV practices, unit operations, and/or technologies will be identified, and their practical constraints and issues of concern examined.