Philadelphia Auto Salvage Task Force Reports on Progress

“The Philadelphia Multi-Governmental Automotive Salvage Task Force was formed in response to complaints about auto salvage operations that were both eyesores and serious threats to the environment,” Kennedy said. “In a very short time, this group has demonstrated how business and environmental interests can come together to adopt sound practices that protect our quality of life.”

Since its inception in 2003, the task force has used mass mailings, a Web site and the creation of a recyclers’ directory to reach the more than 200 auto salvors in Philadelphia, many of them located in the southwest part of the city, not far from the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers and fragile estuary ecosystems.

As a result of this outreach effort, Philadelphia Managing Director Philip R. Goldsmith reported that owners of several scrap yards have initiated cleanups that have transformed their properties, referring to dramatic before-and-after pictures of auto salvage operations at 6750 Essington Ave. and 3801 Old York Road.

Goldsmith chose Century Motors at 3101 S. 61st St. as the backdrop for the task force’s progress report. Ed Alfano, owner of the 10-acre site, which houses more than 500 abandoned or recovered stolen autos, has adopted best management practices for handling fluids, managing stormwater and preventing runoff.

“We’re here today at Century Motors to report the progress that our multi-agency task force has made in addressing serious environmental issues that exist in the salvage industry,” Goldsmith said. “We know that, unfortunately, not all auto salvage operations look like this one, but we have identified and developed resources that will make it possible for any owner to operate responsibly. Tomorrow, more than 100 Philadelphia area automotive and scrap recyclers will attend a free environmental workshop sponsored by the city, DEP, EPA, the Southwest Used Auto Parts Association, Philadelphia Authorized Towers and Salvers and the Pennsylvania Automotive Recycling Trade Society.

“The dismantling and re-use of auto parts is a major recycling industry in America. More than 75 percent of the materials from cars are recycled. But when automobiles are dismantled, there is also a major potential for pollution. We are offering compliance assistance to an industry that needs our help, and in fairness to those who do the right thing, we will use enforcement for those who are unwilling to comply,” Goldsmith said.

In addition to reaching out to business owners, the task force has inspected automobile salvage yards, taken enforcement action against recalcitrant facilities and established a hotline at the city at (215) 686-1776 for the public to report salvage operations with compliance problems.

“DEP 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,” Kennedy said. “We hope operators will use the resource directory developed by the task force to help them find vendors who will safely handle batteries, mercury switches, waste oil, freon and other materials that might otherwise make their way into the environment.”

To access additional information about this initiative, visit www.phila.gov and select the link entitled, “Automotive Scrap Yard Compliance and Enforcement Program,” which contains educational and compliance information for yard operators and the general public.

For more information on managing waste, visit DEP’s Web site at www.dep.state.pa.us, Keyword: “DEP Waste Management.”