"Legitimate factories have 'no cars to dismantle,' while black workshops rake in profits daily! A single three-way catalytic converter sells for 800 yuan—the pollution behind it is shocking."

(Source: China Environment News)

Reprinted from China Environment News

After CCTV News investigation exposed issues related to illegal dismantling of scrapped vehicles, on March 14, Linyi City, Shandong Province, took immediate action. The city established a joint task force composed of departments such as Commerce, Market Regulation, Ecology and Environment, Transportation, and Public Security to conduct on-site inspections, seize and confiscate illegal operations, and strictly crack down on illegal dismantling activities according to law. Additionally, a special crackdown and rectification campaign was launched across the city.

Previously, a reporter from CCTV spent half a year investigating and found that several small workshops in Linyi, Shandong, accepted vehicles without any barriers, dismantled them recklessly outdoors, and sold high-value parts in large quantities. Some even replaced the cheap filters in recycled three-way catalytic converters to refurbish them into “fake original parts” for sale, making huge profits. More seriously, these small workshops transferred the core components of scrapped vehicles to legitimate dismantling companies. These companies, to survive, illegally accepted and processed the scrapped vehicles for deregistration, forming a complete black industry chain: “small workshops accepting vehicles — reckless dismantling and extracting parts — refurbishing and selling as stolen goods — legitimate dismantling companies deregistering vehicle shells.”

At the undercover scene, the reporter personally witnessed the high profits involved: a scrapped three-way catalytic converter was sold on-site for as much as 800 yuan, becoming the main profit point for illegal workshops. Behind this greed-driven trade lies irreversible environmental damage.

Q

Why can’t three-way catalytic converters be discarded or disposed of arbitrarily?

As a core component of vehicle exhaust purification, the three-way catalytic converter is explicitly listed in the national hazardous waste management catalog. It is not ordinary waste. Illegal disposal has alarming environmental costs. Inside, it contains rare precious metals such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium. Improper disposal or illegal dismantling after scrapping can severely pollute soil and water sources, damage the ecological environment, and threaten human health. It must be handled by qualified hazardous waste disposal companies for proper dismantling and harmless treatment.

Even worse, unscrupulous individuals may refurbish recycled catalytic converters into “fake original parts” and circulate them in the market. These counterfeit parts not only have a short lifespan and fail to meet emission standards but may also cause vehicle malfunctions due to performance defects, directly endangering the safety of drivers and passengers. Meanwhile, illegal dismantling and trading of hazardous waste like catalytic converters can result in hefty administrative penalties. Those involved in pollution crimes may also face criminal liability according to law.

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Q

What are the procedures for scrapping old vehicles?

According to the official website of the Ministry of Commerce, vehicle owners should hand over their scrapped vehicles to licensed vehicle recycling and dismantling enterprises. These enterprises must issue a “Scrapped Vehicle Recycling Certificate,” recover the vehicle registration certificate, license plates, and driving license, and promptly handle deregistration with the public security traffic management department in accordance with national regulations, transferring the “Vehicle Deregistration Certificate” to the vehicle owner.

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Reminder for recycling companies and individuals:

Laws and regulations strictly regulate the recycling and dismantling of scrapped vehicles. Unauthorized dismantling or selling of catalytic converters not only risks high administrative penalties but also involves environmental crimes, which will be prosecuted according to law.

• Article 5 of the “Measures for the Administration of Scrapped Vehicle Recycling”: The state implements a qualification recognition system for scrapped vehicle recycling enterprises. Without qualification approval, no unit or individual may engage in scrapped vehicle recycling activities.

• Article 7 of the “Implementation Rules for the Measures for the Administration of Scrapped Vehicle Recycling”: The state implements a qualification recognition system for recycling and dismantling enterprises. Without qualification approval, no unit or individual may engage in scrapped vehicle recycling and dismantling.

• Article 524 of the “Environmental Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China”: It is prohibited to hand over scrapped vehicles or ships to enterprises or individuals that do not meet the prescribed conditions for recycling or dismantling.

This article is compiled from CCTV News, Xinhua News Agency, and China Environment APP.

Design: Qin Miao

Editor: Qin Miao