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
California Environmental Protection Agency (CALEPA) https://calepa.ca.gov/
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9 Pacific Southwest implements and enforces federal environmental laws in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, the Pacific Islands, and 148 Tribal Nations.
EPA Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
The main office of EPA's Pacific Southwest Region (Region 9) is located in the South of Market area of downtown San Francisco.
Stormwater Regulation
Storm water discharges in California are regulated through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. However, storm water may also act as a resource and recharge to groundwater when properly managed. The Water Boards are actively involved in initiatives to improve the management of storm water as a resource.
Storm water is defined by US EPA as the runoff generated when precipitation from rain and snowmelt events flows over land or impervious surfaces without percolating into the ground. Storm water is often considered a nuisance because it mobilizes pollutants such as motor oil and trash. In most cases, storm water flows directly to water bodies through sewer systems, contributing a major source of pollution to rivers, lakes, and the ocean. https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/stormwater/
For more information read our Storm Water Management Fact Sheet at https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/stormwater/docs/industrial/2014indgenpermit/factsheet.pdf
Spill Reporting
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.
Resources
Small Business Environmental Assistance Program
CA Air Resources Board, Chair's Office of the Ombudsman https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/
(916) 323-6791
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.
Western Sustainability & Pollution Prevention Network (WSPPN) https://unrbep.org/wsppn/
Western Sustainability and Pollution Prevention Network (WSPPN) is an alliance of pollution prevention (P2) programs throughout EPA Region 9 which includes Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada and is part of a national network of pollution prevention centers around the country called the Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange or (P2Rx). The network serves as a technical resource for regional P2 issues through researching, consolidating, and disseminating P2 information. WSPPN was established in 1997 and is run as a service provided by the Business Environmental Program at the University of Nevada, Reno.
WSPPN projects include:
P2 training and webinars, including online introductory video courses in P2 101, and Green Chemistry 101. https://unrbep.org/category/webinars/
The Green Business Program Resource, which includes information about green business certification programs and links to selected certification programs across the country. https://unrbep.org/resources/green-chemistry-compendium/
WSPPN collaborated with the California Green Business Program Network to help replicate California's green business program tools and measurement tracking systems nationally. A partnership with California, Oregon and Washington to advance the collaborative goals of the 2015 West Coast Green Chemistry and Safer Products Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
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.
