Motor vehicles are an environmental hazard in one form or another throughout their entire lives. At the end of their lives as they sit in backyards around the island, lead, nickel, other harmful materials such as cadmium, chromium brominated flame retardants or poly chlorinated biphenyls ( PCBs) which are hazardous, eventually seep into the ground and our water table. So does motor oil and other fluids once the holders of these fluids deteriorate. Improper management of end of life vehicles can cause severe environmental problems by lead batteries, refrigerant gases, mercury and mechanical oils. If these end of life vehicles are not properly removed or disposed of, they can potentially cause heavy metal soil pollution and ground water pollution.

Thus, for this project proposal the Ruaau Puna will focus on the environmental and safe removal and disposal of abandoned/end of life cars and trucks in the Ruaau Tapere. The reason for the focus on cars and trucks is because they are bigger.
The proper removal of these end of life vehicles will enhance our environment by tonnes of scrap metal removed, the prevention of metal, fuel, oil from disintegrating in to the soil which will leak in to our water source both fresh water and our lagoon which would not only damage people?s lives, but would also damage the bio diversity and ecosystems in these areas. In addition, it will result in a cleaner, tidier image of the island which is reliant on tourism. The project will ensure sections currently used as dumping sites can be cleared for agricultural or investment purposes for our community.