UK – planning permission gives go-ahead for UK‘s first car recycling and social project.

FST‘‘s SMaRT (Socially Minded and Responsible Trading) has been granted planning permission from Salford City Council to develop the UK‘‘s first Approved Treatment Centre for End-of-Life-Vehicles (ELV) run by a not-for-profit organisation. The facility will be in Salford and will not only dispose of ELV in an environmentally safe way, but will create sustainable jobs and high quality training in the automotive trades for local people.



Work will begin at the site at Woodrow Way, Irlam, shortly. When fully operational, the site will take ELV from the general public and the trade providing a safe and effective service disposing of the vehicle and its‘‘ by-products responsibly to protect the environment. The process involves removing all potentially hazardous materials and agents including batteries, engine and gear oils, brake fluid, antifreeze and other potentially damaging items. Once processed, the ELV will be recorded as scrapped on the DVLA database so that the registration cannot be used for ‘‘ringing‘‘ or other illegal purposes.



SMaRT has received set-up funding from the Invest-to-Save Fund (sponsored by Department for Communities and Local Government) and the Big Lotteries Fund.



SMaRT has received substantial support from Salford City Council and a number of other local organisations involved in the promotion of social inclusion, regeneration and the environment including the Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company, the Co-operative Bank; Co-operative Insurance Society; Salford Primary Care NHS Trust; Bolton, Salford and Trafford NHS Trust, Manchester Employers Forum, Sustainability North West, Cheshire and Mersey Specialised Commission Team, National Institute for Mental Health In England, Sapphire Energy Recovery Limited, Lafarge Cement, European Metal Recycling Limited and Precise Public Affairs.



The task of recycling ELV provides opportunities for training and excellent work experience in the automotive trade, offices and clerical work, retailing, warehousing and buildings maintenance. SMaRT offers people the opportunity to gain recognized qualifications and helps people into employment by helping them to apply for paid work, prepare CVs and develop interview skills. Above all else, however, it provides real work experience by running as a business and involving everyone in the responsibility of making it work. It allows individuals who have been out of work for a long time or never worked to get up-to-date skills and experience and develop confidence, as well as learning essential work skills such as time keeping, team working and reliability.



It is hoped that SMaRT‘‘s innovative approach will inspire other projects across the country.



FST SMaRT, is part of the national charity First Step Trust (FST), and operates as a not-for-profit organisation. It works with people who have been excluded from employment opportunities because of mental health problems, learning difficulties, physical disabilities, participation in Drug and Alcohol Recovery Programmes, repeat offenders or those with a history of contact with the criminal justice system.



About FST SMaRT



FST SMaRT also runs a garage in Salford (FST SMaRT Service Centre), which provides MOTs, servicing and repairs to the general public. Since trading in January 2006, FST SMaRT has:





Brought more than £2m investment into Salford

Broken a cycle of unemployment and isolation for 75 people, 50% who had not worked for at least 5 years and 35% who have never worked

Created 14 jobs for local people at its‘‘ base Mode Wheel Road

Helped 15 local people move on to other paid jobs

Delivered over 8,000 hours of training

Supported 35 trainees to gain recognised qualifications in health and safety and first aid.http://www.bnradw.com/b>