Recyclers Certification Program
As a result of a U.S. EPA State Innovation Grant, you have an opportunity to participate in the Auto Salvage Recyclers Self- Certification Program. Participation in the program is voluntary. However, all auto salvage facilities are strongly encouraged to participate in the program to take advantage of the opportunity to improve their day-to-day business practices and become better stewards of the environment.
The Auto Salvage Recyclers Certification Program is designed to be a sustainable compliance program, whereby every 1-3 years facilities will conduct a self audit, correct any environmental problems and submit a return to compliance plan that includes a schedule for correcting problems needing additional time. As a result, IDEM will not conduct routine inspections at these facilities, but will focus on sites not participating and sites generating citizen complaints. If the project is successful, IDEM will continue using the Environmental Results Project (ERP) model to maintain compliance at auto salvage recyclers.
Specific advantages of participation include:
- Reducing inspection priority.
- Making you better prepared for a complaint inspection.
- Being placed on a public list of participants. The list indicates that your business cares about incorporating smart business practices to better protect the environment and the neighborhood you live in.
- The possibility of being certified as an Indiana Clean Yard by IDEM. For more information on this program, see the following page titled "Indiana Clean Yard Program." You may also call IDEM at (800) 988-7901 or (317) 232-8172.
- Priority in receiving information and education on methods of complying with environmental regulations that apply to auto salvage facilities.
- Priority in receiving free technical assistance from IDEM’s Office of Pollution Prevention and Technical Assistance (OPPTA) to comply with environmental regulations and implement best management practices that could result in financial savings.
- The possibility of receiving promotional materials such as a program emblem, window clings, counter mats, and a public service announcement.
Participation in this certification program does not imply that your business will be exempt from random inspections, or inspections prompted by complaints. However, participation in this program will help you identify any issues and prepare your facility in the event of an inspection. You should keep copies of your checklists and any other forms you submit in order to assist you in demonstrating compliance with applicable state and federal regulations.
To participate in this program, you will need to complete the following forms (available on the IDEM Forms page) and submit them to IDEM:
- Auto Salvage Recyclers Environmental Self-Audit Checklist;
- Any necessary Return-to-Compliance Plan Forms, and;
- The Certification Statement.
We ask that you file a Facility Non-Applicability Statement (available on the IDEM Forms page) if there are no active auto salvage yard operations at your facility address, or if the facility or property has been sold.
If you choose to participate, we would like you to submit your completed Environmental Self-Audit Checklist, and any other forms by July 15, 2009. However, if you cannot make this deadline, we still welcome your participation. Please contact us at (800) 451-6027, and ask for Industrial Waste Section 1, if you have any questions.
Auto Salvage: Table of Contents
Stay Connected
