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Philadelphia Automotive Salvage Task Force Aims to Clean Up Recycling cars in an environmentally-friendly way

Release Date: 6/9/2004
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, 215-814-5543

Bonnie Smith, 215-814-5543

PHILADELPHIA – Auto recyclers in Philadelphia are becoming more aware of where to recycle environmentally sensitive components before the crusher turns Chevy sedans, Ford trucks, and Chrysler convertibles into scrap metal.

The City of Philadelphia, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection, and a number of local automotive trade associations are cooperating in a Philadelphia automotive salvage compliance task force to address environmental concerns associated with scrap and automotive recycling operations.

“EPA is proud to be a partner in this initiative reaching out to automotive and scrap recyclers to increase their awareness of environmental regulations and environmental protection,” said Donald S. Welsh, mid-Atlantic regional administrator.

An important aspect of this compliance assistance effort is a workshop that will be held tomorrow, June 10 to discuss the health, safety and environmental concerns associated with recycling operations. One hundred scrap and automotive recycling businesses are expected to attend the workshop. Key vendors will also participate, including purchasers of potentially environmentally sensitive products like mercury, tires, and batteries.

Inspections and environmental enforcement are also essential components of this effort.

In addition to the workshop, the Pennsylvania Auto Salvage Yard Recycler’s Resource Directory was created to assist auto recyclers with the handling of batteries, mercury switches, waste oil, freon and other materials they generate. The directory is available at www.phila.gov/mdo/scrapmetal/pdfs/Directory.pdf.

EPA’s Business Assistance Center, who has an active role in this partnership,can be reached at (800) 228-8711 or www.epa.gov/region03/sbac.