Some of the language is a bit different but this video from the CARE (Consortium for Auto Recycling) group in the UK, highlights some of the future of auto recycling around the world.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
Use a reliable auto recycler
Earth suffers when job isn't done right
Cars have been a disposable commodity for so many decades that we hardly give a thought to what happens to them — unless they're in your neighbor's yard. To be sure that junk cars, known in the trade as End of Life Vehicles, are handled the way most of us want them to be, make sure you are dealing with a licensed auto recycler.
There are many licensed auto recyclers in New Hampshire who are protecting our environment and us as they dispose of nearly 50,000 cars each year. To do this, they carefully drain the motor oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze, gasoline and Freon from each vehicle to be stored in separate tanks and recycled.
The batteries are removed and stored on wooden skids that are resting on concrete pads until they are sold and moved out. Catalytic converters are removed for sale to specialized recyclers, as are the radiators and heater cores.
Tires are removed and usually stored in a covered space about the size of a truck trailer until that is filled; then they are sold. No accumulation of tires to be potential insect breeding grounds or fire hazards.
Windows are removed and sold if they're in one piece or recycled if they are in pieces. What about the little light that comes on when you open the hood or trunk? That gets special attention because it contains mercury, a hazardous material.
The interiors are removed and, if possible, resold to customers near and far. Finally, after everything that can be salvaged has been claimed from the vehicle, the car is crushed and shipped to a shredding operation.
As you can see, dealing with a junked vehicle is a complex task that must be done by people who know what they are doing every step of the way.
There are many unlicensed operators who will take your junk car off your hands for nothing or, in some instances, even pay you for it. The big question for these people before you let go of your vehicle is: What do you do with all of the fluids from my car?
If you get just one weasel word, stop the deal because you know that the fluids are just going to be dumped someplace, the batteries and tires are likely to be tossed on the edge of his/her yard and nothing will be done about the mercury switches. You, too, have to be part of the responsible team disposing of a junk vehicle.
Go to www.atranh.com to find a licensed auto recycler in your community. You call, they'll haul.
By Larry Twitchell, executive director of the Auto and Truck Recyclers Association of New Hampshire. He can be reached at 483-0117 or atranhed@comcast.net.
Cars have been a disposable commodity for so many decades that we hardly give a thought to what happens to them — unless they're in your neighbor's yard. To be sure that junk cars, known in the trade as End of Life Vehicles, are handled the way most of us want them to be, make sure you are dealing with a licensed auto recycler.
There are many licensed auto recyclers in New Hampshire who are protecting our environment and us as they dispose of nearly 50,000 cars each year. To do this, they carefully drain the motor oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze, gasoline and Freon from each vehicle to be stored in separate tanks and recycled.
The batteries are removed and stored on wooden skids that are resting on concrete pads until they are sold and moved out. Catalytic converters are removed for sale to specialized recyclers, as are the radiators and heater cores.
Tires are removed and usually stored in a covered space about the size of a truck trailer until that is filled; then they are sold. No accumulation of tires to be potential insect breeding grounds or fire hazards.
Windows are removed and sold if they're in one piece or recycled if they are in pieces. What about the little light that comes on when you open the hood or trunk? That gets special attention because it contains mercury, a hazardous material.
The interiors are removed and, if possible, resold to customers near and far. Finally, after everything that can be salvaged has been claimed from the vehicle, the car is crushed and shipped to a shredding operation.
As you can see, dealing with a junked vehicle is a complex task that must be done by people who know what they are doing every step of the way.
There are many unlicensed operators who will take your junk car off your hands for nothing or, in some instances, even pay you for it. The big question for these people before you let go of your vehicle is: What do you do with all of the fluids from my car?
If you get just one weasel word, stop the deal because you know that the fluids are just going to be dumped someplace, the batteries and tires are likely to be tossed on the edge of his/her yard and nothing will be done about the mercury switches. You, too, have to be part of the responsible team disposing of a junk vehicle.
Go to www.atranh.com to find a licensed auto recycler in your community. You call, they'll haul.
By Larry Twitchell, executive director of the Auto and Truck Recyclers Association of New Hampshire. He can be reached at 483-0117 or atranhed@comcast.net.
Friday, June 06, 2008
National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program Launched-a Unique Collaboration
Canada's steel and auto industries are supporting and funding a national program designed to remove mercury-containing switches that were used in vehicles for convenience lights (under the hood or in the trunk) and anti-lock braking systems from end-of-life scrapped vehicles before they are flattened, shredded and recycled into new steel. This national program builds on the successful Switch Out initiative delivered by the Clean Air Foundation (CAF), a national not-for-profit organization. With this new funding, CAF will expand Switch Out to all provinces and territories in Canada, providing the infrastructure for the collection, removal and management of the mercury-containing switches as well as practical educational materials to recyclers across the country.
This program partnership is supported by Canadian automotive recyclers and dismantlers and their respective associations - the Automotive Recyclers of Canada (ARC) and the Canadian Association of Recycling Industries (CARI). The collaborative effort among the steel, auto and recycling/dismantling industries is unprecedented and is essential to the success of the program, which will assist the steel and auto industries to meet the new federal pollution prevention requirements regarding mercury-containing switches.
Mark Nantais, President of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association stated that "This program will ensure that the mercury-containing switches in end-of-life vehicles are properly removed and managed so mercury is captured and prevented from entering the environment. As of January 1, 2003 the use of mercury switches in new automobiles has been voluntarily and completely phased out."
Ron Watkins, President of the Canadian Steel Producers Association, added that "Removing mercury-containing switches from end-of-life vehicles represents the most effective way to reduce mercury releases to the environment. Canada's steel producers are committed to the continued success of the Switch Out program, and are pleased to be working with the auto industry and the Clean Air Foundation to expand it into a truly national program."
Steve Fletcher, Managing Director of the Automotive Recyclers of Canada (ARC), said "ARC supports the establishment of a national vehicle mercury switch recovery program. We are committed to working in good faith as we have done in the past and even more now to ensure that the mercury switches from all scrap vehicles are removed." Leonard Shaw, Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Recycling Industries (CARI), commented that "As stewards of our environment, CARI looks forward to applying our industry expertise to help develop the national Switch Out program."
Since 2001, Switch Out has engaged 448 auto recyclers to collect more than 160,000 mercury-containing convenience lighting switches across Canada. Ersilia Serafini, Executive Director of CAF, stated that "we are committed to delivering this national program and will build on our past success to ensure that the program achieves results. We look forward to working with the Canadian steel and auto industries, as well as engaging many more recyclers and dismantlers in this national program."
This program partnership is supported by Canadian automotive recyclers and dismantlers and their respective associations - the Automotive Recyclers of Canada (ARC) and the Canadian Association of Recycling Industries (CARI). The collaborative effort among the steel, auto and recycling/dismantling industries is unprecedented and is essential to the success of the program, which will assist the steel and auto industries to meet the new federal pollution prevention requirements regarding mercury-containing switches.
Mark Nantais, President of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association stated that "This program will ensure that the mercury-containing switches in end-of-life vehicles are properly removed and managed so mercury is captured and prevented from entering the environment. As of January 1, 2003 the use of mercury switches in new automobiles has been voluntarily and completely phased out."
Ron Watkins, President of the Canadian Steel Producers Association, added that "Removing mercury-containing switches from end-of-life vehicles represents the most effective way to reduce mercury releases to the environment. Canada's steel producers are committed to the continued success of the Switch Out program, and are pleased to be working with the auto industry and the Clean Air Foundation to expand it into a truly national program."
Steve Fletcher, Managing Director of the Automotive Recyclers of Canada (ARC), said "ARC supports the establishment of a national vehicle mercury switch recovery program. We are committed to working in good faith as we have done in the past and even more now to ensure that the mercury switches from all scrap vehicles are removed." Leonard Shaw, Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Recycling Industries (CARI), commented that "As stewards of our environment, CARI looks forward to applying our industry expertise to help develop the national Switch Out program."
Since 2001, Switch Out has engaged 448 auto recyclers to collect more than 160,000 mercury-containing convenience lighting switches across Canada. Ersilia Serafini, Executive Director of CAF, stated that "we are committed to delivering this national program and will build on our past success to ensure that the program achieves results. We look forward to working with the Canadian steel and auto industries, as well as engaging many more recyclers and dismantlers in this national program."
Canadian government to encourage older vehicles to be properly retired
Government to offer new incentives for Canadians who do their part
Ottawa, June 4, 2008 – Canada's Environment Minister, John Baird, today was joined by the Clean Air Foundation to launch a National Vehicle Scrappage Program, which will offer incentives to people who retire their 1995 or older model vehicles.
This program will be fully operating by January 2009, and will encourage people to scrap their gas-guzzling vehicles and to turn to environmentally-friendly transportations. The incentives include:
• Public transit passes;
• Bicycles;
• a rebate on the purchase of a new car;
• Membership in a car-sharing program; or
• $300 cash.
“We know Canadians want to do their part to help clean up the air we breathe and to and our Government shares their desire,” said Minister Baird. “That’s why we are launching a national program to get Canadian’s smog-causing gas-guzzlers off the road. This investment, combined with our Turning the Corner plan to cut air pollution from industry by up to 50 per cent, is what Canadians want and what we are delivering.”
The Government is providing $92 million over four years to implement the program, which will be delivered by the Clean Air Foundation – a national not-for-profit organization that runs the award-winning Car Heaven program.
“We are thrilled to be leading this program,” said Ersilia Serafini, Executive Director of the Clean Air Foundation. “Car Heaven is a leading program in Canada and we look forward to working with additional local programs to build on their experience and to enhance this network nationally even more.”
Of the 18 million cars and trucks on Canada’s roads, about five million were manufactured before 1996 (which is when new environmentally conscious standards were introduced). These pre-1996 models produce about 19 times more air pollutants than newer cars and trucks.
Until the program is fully up and running in January 2009, the Government of Canada is providing $3.4 million funding to local vehicle scrappage programs across the country.
This will encourage Canadians to take action now by rewarding them with incentives for retiring their old vehicles that will be part of the national program. These local scrappage programs will have an opportunity to become part of the Clean Air Foundation’s network for the delivery of the new national program in 2009.
As part of the Government’s commitment to high environmental standards, the program will also include a National Car Recycling Code of Practice. This tough code, currently being developed with the Automotive Recyclers of Canada will raise the standard of environmental care for vehicle recycling and apply to all participating recyclers.
The Automotive Recyclers of Canada (ARC) and its provincial associations have partnered with the Clean Air Foundation over the years to help deliver vehicle scrappage programs. “We look forward to helping take this to a national scale through our network of local auto dismantlers and recyclers,” said Steve Fletcher, Managing Director of ARC. “Ensuring that the vehicles are properly and permanently retired is the expertise we bring to the national program.”
This initiative is part of the Government’s Turning the Corner action plan, which includes a commitment to reduce emissions from transportation sources and cut smog-forming industrial air pollution in half by 2015.
For information on the vehicle scrappage program, please consult the related Backgrounder or visit: www.ec.gc.ca/VehicleScrappage
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Surging prices spur scrap metal business
Few used cars appreciate in value from year to year, but junkers lately have proven an exception to that rule.
Growing international demand for steel and other metals has sent scrap markets soaring this year.
Brian Haluptzok, owner of Hi-Way 210 Auto Parts west of Carlton, said he’s paying up to three times what he did last year for salvage vehicles.
“A few years ago, I would pick them up for free. But last year, I started paying about $50 per vehicle,” he said. That would be a bargain price today. Haluptzok has paid as much as $200 for some high-value larger vehicles this year. Jerry Chesney, owner of Chesney Auto Salvage in Fredenberg Township, now pays anywhere from $50 to $200 per scrap vehicle, depending on size and condition. His current average is about $100 per vehicle.
And the higher prices have brought more vehicles to salvage/recycling operations this year.
“Every spring, we typically get busy. But this year, people are really cleaning up their yards,” Haluptzok said. “I think it took a little while for the public to realize prices had gone up so much.”
Dealers say competition for salvage vehicles has been intense at times.
Ryan Haluptzok, Brian’s cousin and owner of Classic Towing and Recovery, a Twin Ports business that has dealt in salvage vehicles for eight years, described the year as “astronomically crazy.”
“When the market rises like this, people come out of the woodwork,” Ryan Haluptzok said. He began to notice a surge in small independent operators late last year.
Some of the newcomers essentially have been backyard operations operating under the radar of regulators, said Jennifer Worth, co-owner of WE Recycle of Ashland.
Automotive recycling facilities should be licensed by the Department of Transportation, and Department of Natural Resources permits are required for businesses that dismantle vehicles, she said.
“Basically, we recycle everything, but we’re required to have the proper equipment and systems in place to handle things like freon, oil, fuel and mercury switches. If no one is watching these backyard operations, we need to be concerned about where all this stuff is ending up,” Worth said.
She noted that unlicensed scrappers don’t bear the expense of permits and other overhead costs that legitimate businesses do, giving them lower costs and the ability to bid up prices for defunct vehicles.
“We’ve seen a big spike in complaints about unlicensed operations since the market started to heat up,” said Mark Harings, an auto and salvage sector specialist for the Wisconsin DNR.
Jim Anderson, a fraud investigator for the dealer section of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, said his office also has received more complaints this year. But he said that enforcement has been a challenge.
“Someone puts a classified ad in the paper — ‘Will pick up scrap for cash’ — and they can come and be gone in a heartbeat,” Anderson said, noting that many of the best tips his office receives come from licensed salvage operators. “To a large extent, we rely on the attentiveness of others to help us,” he said.
Michael Wilson, executive vice president of the Automotive Recyclers Association said he’s not surprised to see opportunists entering the scrap business.
“It has been a real active market because the price of scrap has doubled since November,” he said. “There’s been a sort of gold rush.”
“We’ve never seen prices like this before,” said Bob Garino, director of commodities for the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. If developing nations continue to grow at the current pace, he predicts scrap prices could go even higher.
Brazil, Russia, India and China have demonstrated a voracious appetite for scrap metal, he said. He identified Turkey, Dubai, Korea and Taiwan as other large consumers of scrap.
“As these countries develop, they need things like iron, steel, copper and aluminum. They’re also looking for the cheapest material they can find, and that’s scrap,” he said. The United States is a natural source of this scrap metal, Garino said, as it offers an unparalleled supply, from the standpoint of both quantity and quality.
Duluth News Tribune - Duluth,MN,USA
Growing international demand for steel and other metals has sent scrap markets soaring this year.
Brian Haluptzok, owner of Hi-Way 210 Auto Parts west of Carlton, said he’s paying up to three times what he did last year for salvage vehicles.
“A few years ago, I would pick them up for free. But last year, I started paying about $50 per vehicle,” he said. That would be a bargain price today. Haluptzok has paid as much as $200 for some high-value larger vehicles this year. Jerry Chesney, owner of Chesney Auto Salvage in Fredenberg Township, now pays anywhere from $50 to $200 per scrap vehicle, depending on size and condition. His current average is about $100 per vehicle.
And the higher prices have brought more vehicles to salvage/recycling operations this year.
“Every spring, we typically get busy. But this year, people are really cleaning up their yards,” Haluptzok said. “I think it took a little while for the public to realize prices had gone up so much.”
Dealers say competition for salvage vehicles has been intense at times.
Ryan Haluptzok, Brian’s cousin and owner of Classic Towing and Recovery, a Twin Ports business that has dealt in salvage vehicles for eight years, described the year as “astronomically crazy.”
“When the market rises like this, people come out of the woodwork,” Ryan Haluptzok said. He began to notice a surge in small independent operators late last year.
Some of the newcomers essentially have been backyard operations operating under the radar of regulators, said Jennifer Worth, co-owner of WE Recycle of Ashland.
Automotive recycling facilities should be licensed by the Department of Transportation, and Department of Natural Resources permits are required for businesses that dismantle vehicles, she said.
“Basically, we recycle everything, but we’re required to have the proper equipment and systems in place to handle things like freon, oil, fuel and mercury switches. If no one is watching these backyard operations, we need to be concerned about where all this stuff is ending up,” Worth said.
She noted that unlicensed scrappers don’t bear the expense of permits and other overhead costs that legitimate businesses do, giving them lower costs and the ability to bid up prices for defunct vehicles.
“We’ve seen a big spike in complaints about unlicensed operations since the market started to heat up,” said Mark Harings, an auto and salvage sector specialist for the Wisconsin DNR.
Jim Anderson, a fraud investigator for the dealer section of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, said his office also has received more complaints this year. But he said that enforcement has been a challenge.
“Someone puts a classified ad in the paper — ‘Will pick up scrap for cash’ — and they can come and be gone in a heartbeat,” Anderson said, noting that many of the best tips his office receives come from licensed salvage operators. “To a large extent, we rely on the attentiveness of others to help us,” he said.
Michael Wilson, executive vice president of the Automotive Recyclers Association said he’s not surprised to see opportunists entering the scrap business.
“It has been a real active market because the price of scrap has doubled since November,” he said. “There’s been a sort of gold rush.”
“We’ve never seen prices like this before,” said Bob Garino, director of commodities for the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. If developing nations continue to grow at the current pace, he predicts scrap prices could go even higher.
Brazil, Russia, India and China have demonstrated a voracious appetite for scrap metal, he said. He identified Turkey, Dubai, Korea and Taiwan as other large consumers of scrap.
“As these countries develop, they need things like iron, steel, copper and aluminum. They’re also looking for the cheapest material they can find, and that’s scrap,” he said. The United States is a natural source of this scrap metal, Garino said, as it offers an unparalleled supply, from the standpoint of both quantity and quality.
Duluth News Tribune - Duluth,MN,USA
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