Ford Motor Company has signed an agreement with Cartakeback Ltd to provide customers of Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo, Aston Martin and Mazda with a free ‘take back’ service for End of Life Vehicles (ELVs) from January 1, 2007.

Ford claims to be the first major manufacturer in the UK to put in place a comprehensive plan that meets the EC End of Life Vehicles directive requiring manufacturers and importers to take back vehicles that they put on the market at the end of their life, ensuring that they are treated in an environmentally responsible manner and meet recycling and recovery targets of 85% by weight in 2006.

Cartakeback Ltd is a subsidiary of the UK Shredders consortium. The Ford Cartakeback network will have representation across all regions of the UK.

The first Ford-appointed site in the network is GW & G Bridges Ltd of Crawley, Sussex. The other sites in the Ford network will be announced, as they are appointed, between now and August.

Ford of Britain chairman, Roger Putnam, says: "When the full network is established, a hotline number and dedicated website will advise last owners of the qualifying conditions for free take back and the location of the nearest facility where they can present their vehicle."

As they become available, further details will be announced on the Ford website at www.ford.co.uk under the "Environment" section during 2005.