Certified Auto Recyclers
Many professional automotive recyclers use a certification program to attain and maintain compliance with environmental, safety and transportation rules applicable to salvage facilities. The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) Certified Auto Recyclers (CAR) program sets a standard of excellence as the path to compliance.
Regulatory Agency
The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment's Division of Environmental Quality is the state's main environmental protection agency, charged with protecting, enhancing, and restoring the environment for Arkansans. https://www.adeq.state.ar.us/
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 (South Central)- EPA's work in Arkansas is managed from the EPA Region 6 office in Dallas, serving Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and 66 Tribal Nations.
EPA Region 6 Main Office
1201 Elm Street, Suite 500
Dallas, Texas 75270
800-887-6063
214-665-2760 (Outside of Region 6)
Stormwater Regulation
When stormwater from rain or snow melt flows, it carries dirt, litter, chemicals, or other pollutants that could harm water quality. Stormwater discharges are considered point sources, and stormwater permitting is administered under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
DEQ issues General Permits for Industrial Activity. Industrial Stormwater Permits are used for facilities with similar operations. DEQ offers a subscription service to receive notifications of upcoming permitting activities and requirements such as permit renewals, comment periods, recertification requirements, and other important news regarding the Stormwater Industrial General Permit ARR000000. https://www.adeq.state.ar.us/water/permits/npdes/stormwater/
Spill Reporting
While state and federal law require the reporting of new spills or releases of hazardous substances to the environment, Arkansas does not have a specific provision that requires the reporting of historic releases or contamination found on a particular property.
National Response Center
If the hazardous condition involves the release of an EPA regulated material or an oil as defined by the EPA, the release may also need to be reported to the National Response Center at (800) 424-8802. Federal Reporting is required within 15 minutes of event occurrence or discovery.
The National Response Center (NRC) is a part of the federally established National Response System and staffed 24 hours a day by the U.S. Coast Guard. It is the designated federal point of contact for reporting all oil, chemical, radiological, biological and etiological discharges into the environment, anywhere in the United States and its territories.
Resources
Small Business Environmental Assistance Program
AR Department of Environmental Quality www.adeq.state.ar.us
Contact: Lucy Cross 501-682-0788 cross@adeq.state.ar.us
National Small Business Environmental Assistance Program
The 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments required states to develop programs to help small businesses comply with air quality regulations through a small business environmental assistance providers' programs (SBEAP). Many state technical assistance programs have expanded their air quality focus to provide technical assistance in other environmental areas.
Services provided by these organizations for small businesses include multi-media environmental compliance and pollution prevention (P2). P2 services help businesses reduce emissions at the source, often reducing regulatory burden and sometimes saving money.
To access these free, often confidential services and see which ones your state offers, locate your state program at https://nationalsbeap.org/states
Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange (P2Rx™) http://www.p2rx.org/
P2Rx is a national partnership of regional pollution prevention information centers funded in part through grants from EPA. We build networks, deliver P2 information, and measure P2 program results.
The Region 6: Zero Waste Network is a group of environmental professionals serving Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Texas dedicated to finding money-saving options for conserving our natural resources. They are a collaborative project of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the University of Texas, and regional environmental agencies. Together they work to identify pollution prevention options for large and small businesses as well as consumers. http://www.zerowastenetwork.org/
The Zero Waste Network's projects included
• P2 Options, a set of best management practices for a variety of industries to save money and reduce waste. http://www.zerowastenetwork.org/P2Options/dsp_reviewedproces.cfm
• Resource Exchange (RENEW) - A tool designed to help facilities exchange materials that would otherwise be disposed. http://www.zerowastenetwork.org/#
The following fact sheets are designed to assist automotive recyclers with operating their businesses and managing their wastes in compliance with the environmental laws in their state. Select from the list below.
