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.
Auto Recyclers in Puerto Rico utilize the ARA CAR program as a resource. Facilities that have achieved certification communicate to the marketplace that they have successfully undergone a comprehensive assessment and their processes and organization meet defined standards.
Regulatory Agency
Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board (EQB) or La Junta de Calidad Ambiental de Puerto Rico (JCA) is the principal environmental protection regulator in Puerto Rico. http://www.jca.pr.gov/
The Environmental Quality Board is the agency of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico that has the main function of protecting and conserving the environment, using wisely and judiciously the necessary resources to prevent and eliminate damages that may affect it, maintaining a balance between economic development and the environment, in accordance with the provisions of Law 416 of September 2004, better known as the Law on Environmental Public Policy.
La Junta de Calidad Ambiental es la agencia del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico que tiene la función principal de proteger y conservar el medioambiente, utilizando sabia y juiciosamente los recursos necesarios para impedir y eliminar daños que puedan afectarlo manteniendo un balance entre el desarrollo económico y el ambiente, a tenor con lo que establece la Ley 416 de septiembre de 2004, mejor conocida como la Ley sobre Política Pública Ambiental.
EPA Region 2 serving New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and eight Indian Nations. https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-2
EPA Region 2
Ted Weiss Federal Building
290 Broadway
New York, NY 10007
(877) 251-4575
However, the Caribbean Environmental Protection Division (CEPD), covering Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, serves as the primary liaison on environmental issues and problems with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and Territory of the Virgin Islands governments as well as regulated industries and authorities.
CEPD is comprised of about 60 people who conduct inspections, identify violations and develop enforcement actions, and implement clean water, drinking water, air, Superfund, hazardous waste, toxics and other EPA programs in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Stormwater Regulation
The Water Quality Area is one of the main areas that make up the JCA's operational organizational structure. Among its functions is to monitor, protect, improve and maintain the quality of water bodies, in order to achieve the propagation and preservation of desirable species. https://www.drna.pr.gov/otrora-jca/
Spill Reporting
If you have an emergency, please call 911
As defined in Law # 81 of July 2, 1987, an environmental emergency is any discharge or threat of discharge, unauthorized accidental or intentional release, leak, pumping, injection, dumping, emission, emptying or disposal of substances or hazardous waste, in or on the ground, water, or the environment, that creates a risk or threat of risk to public health, welfare, or the environment.
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
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.
In Puerto Rico the Solid Waste Authority or La Autoridad de Desperdicios Sólidos (ADS) is a government agency created under Law 70 of June 23, 1978, as amended, with the ministerial duty to establish and implement concerning public policy technical, administrative and operational aspects of solid waste management. ADS provides technical assistance.
En Puerto Rico La Autoridad de Desperdicios Sólidos (ADS) es una agencia gubernamental creada al amparo de la Ley 70 de 23 de junio de 1978, según enmendada, con el deber ministerial de establecer y ejecutar la política pública concerniente a los aspectos técnicos, administrativos y operacionales del manejo de los residuos sólidos. ADS brinda asistencia técnica. http://www.ads.pr.gov/programas/
Puerto Rico Solid Waste Management Authority
P.O. Box 40285
San Juan, PR 00940
Contact: Brenda Colón
Phone: 787-765-7575 x4227
E-mail: bcolon@ads.gobierno.pr
Web site: www.ads.pr.gov/
English Language Pages
Fluid Evacuation BMPs
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.
