The Impact of End-of-Life Vehicle Recycling Law on Automobile Recovery in Japan

Abstract

The Japanese End-of-life Vehicle (ELV) Recycling Law came into force in January 2005 to cope with five million ELVs that are disposed every year. This study focuses on the impact of ELV Recycling Law on recovery of automobiles from the perspective of product life cycle. In response to the ELV Recycling Law, automobile manufacturers have focused on technological innovation that enhance the levels of material recycling and part reuse. Other life cycle outcomes, such as re manufacturing of vehicles, are not likely to emerge as a result of the enforcement of the law alone