ECO Alphabet: Week 10: Junkyards
Updated: Sep 17, 2020
How do I properly get rid of my junk???
Well, let me tell you!
What is a Junkyard/ Salvage Yard?
It is a place that contains a lot of junk... i.e. automobiles, electrical appliances, batteries, furniture, etc.
#1 Problem = storm water pollution and soil contamination
These problems originate from the mishandling of your junk leading to the release of harsh chemicals to the environment, like:
Gasoline
Diesel
Oil
Transmission, Power Steering, and Brake Fluids
Gear Oil
Lead from batteries
Refrigerants from A/C units (chloroflourocarbons)
Sodiumazide from airbags
Mercury from light switches
When rain or flooding occurs these pollutants are washed away into the environment then effecting plant growth, oxygen concentrations, water temperatures, and benthic communities...
How-to Pick a Good Junkyard
Make sure they have a storm water permit. This requires the company to have a storm water pollution prevention plan.
Use a You-Pull-It Center/ Vehicle Recycler (Part recycling, part inventory). These companies will remove harmful contaminants before allowing vehicles to sit in yard, inventory all parts that can be reused, recycle all parts that cannot be reused, and they pay you even if your appliance doesn't run. An example of a good company is My Auto Store.