Pollution Prevention Tips: Waste Reduction Options: Automobile Salvage Yards

North Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Community Development
January 1990

  1. Background Information

    2. The auto salvage business is one of the best examples of recycle/reuse industries. The dismantling of vehicles for reusable parts and fluids and the sale of remaining materials as scrap has gone a long way toward lessening the burden on our landfills. Unfortunately, the methods used in dismantling and storage can, and often have, resulted in serious, negative impacts on the environmental.

    As environmental regulations tighten and as the public becomes more environmentally aware, pressure will mount on the salvage business to "cleanup their act." Perception of the salvage business as harmful to the environment stems from mental images of junk yards with tires piled high and auto carcasses rusting away.

    Changing this image will require the auto salvage industry to examine itself and take appropriate, feasible steps toward protecting the environment. This will not only have positive effects on the environment, but will help transform the negative image into something more positive. Additionally, it may help in complying with environmental regulations and may even increase property marketability. Selling a contaminated site will probably be impossible.

  2. Approach

    3. The following information not only presents an approach for a model auto salvage yard, but -also some realistic steps which can be taken to clean up an existing facility. Where possible, a rough estimate of associated costs is given. Any mention of a specific vendor or material is not intended as an endorsement by the state of North Carolina, but is given as an example of available processes or material.

    The nature of the salvage business requires the knowledge of markets for recovered parts. Although most salvage yards have established markets for parts and "wastes", a listing of some additional markets for certain items is attached.

  3. Fluids Handling

    4. Proper removal and handling of automobile fluids should be the first step taken. Fluids associated with auto salvage include:

    1. Drained Motor Oil

      An accepted practice is to allow oil to remain in the engine. It and associated filters are sold with the engine. This is not the practice at all salvage facilities and does not apply to all vehicles at facilities which use this system.

      Used motor oil can be stored and sold. Depending on the final use of this oil, it may be acceptable to mix other automobile fluids with it. Individual oil handlers should be contacted to determine the "purity" requirement of waste oil.

      If waste oil is to be sold as a fuel or energy source, it may be permissible to mix it with other liquids with high BTU values. If, however, the oil is to be re-refined for reuse as a motor oil it must be segregated from other fluids. A list of some handlers servicing North Carolina is attached. For rules and regulations regarding used oil handling/management in North Carolina, contact Judy Lund of the Solid Waste Management Division at 919-733-2178.

    2. Antifreeze - Coolants

      Although some vehicles will have lost their antifreeze due to accidents, many will have antifreeze in their systems. Due to heavy metals accumulation in the antifreeze and the chemical makeup of antifreeze (ethylene-glycol), it is not recommended to use the sewer for disposal. In many cities it is illegal to dump antifreeze down the drain.

      Reclamation and reuse of antifreeze is recommended. It should be noted that use of used antifreeze (not properly treated) can void new car warranties.

      Some recovery approaches include draining antifreeze into a transport container, storing long enough to allow settling of solids, filtration to remove additional solids, pH adjustment and the addition of pure ethylene-glycol to return antifreeze to desired freeze protection level. Some salvage yards have allowed solids to settle in antifreeze, then bottled it in 1 gallon milk jugs for sale. With freeze protection indicated on the jugs, the buyer is then responsible for adding additional pure antifreeze as needed. Specific options with regard to radiators is available in the Pollution Prevention Tip "Waste Reduction Options for Radiator Service Firms".

      Solids settled from the antifreeze will contain heavy metals and will, in all likelihood have to be disposed of as a hazardous waste, unless sold as a petroleum sludge. Check with oil handlers on the attached reference list for markets.

      Other options include firms which will pick up antifreeze for a very low charge. A list of such firms is attached. Additionally, there are other systems available for cleaning and reuse of antifreeze. These systems range in initial cost depending on usage. For the most part these systems were designed for fleet management with antifreeze immediately returned to the vehicle; therefore they are riot appropriate for salvage yard applications. A Pollution Prevention Tip on anti-freeze waste reduction options is also available.

    3. Other In-Vehicle Fluids

      Brake fluid, transmission fluid, hydraulic oils, etc. are for the most part not considered financially feasible for recovery. Further, brake fluids may contain chlorinated compounds and should be disposed of as a hazardous waste. Other fluids may also contain such compounds and should be checked.

      Windshield-wiper fluid is not hazardous; it can be collected and sold.

    4. Wastewater and Storm Water Runoff

      Steam cleaning of engines and parts results in an oil-laden wastewater. This water should be segregated from domestic type wastewater.

      A pit should be designed to capture all the runoff from steam cleaning operations. Wastewater should be given time to allow for solids settlement. Remaining sludge and water/oil mixture can possibly be sold for fuel additive. This may be possible if water (steam) usage is kept to a minimum, resulting in larger quantities of oil being present. Check with your oil handler.

      Disposal of oil sludge should be handled as a hazardous waste. In some cases, if BTU value is high enough sludges may be marketable as fuel additives. Check with oil handlers and the attached reference list for possible markets.

  4. Metals/Plastics Handling

    1. Lead Acid Batteries

      Batteries should be accumulated on a regular basis and shipped off-site for lead recovery. If not handled in this manner, batteries are considered a hazardous waste. A list of battery handlers is attached.

      Batteries should be stored in an isolated, diked area with an impermeable surface. A paved area with a shed/roof cover works well. By providing dikes around such an area, leaking battery acid will be prevented from getting into storm drains, sewers or streams.

    2. Radiators, Engines, Air Conditioning Coils, Catalytic Converters

      A listing of markets for radiators, engines (cleaned and uncleaned), air conditioning coils and catalytic converters is attached.

    3. Scrap Metals and Plastics

      Scrap metals can also be sold. Attached is a listing of some possible markets. To date it has not been feasible to recover plastics. As automobiles contain more and more plastic there may be a point when plastic removal will pay for itself.

  5. Rubber Related

    1. Tires have traditionally caused disposal problems. Good tires may be sold or given to a tire recapping operation. Other recycling options are growing and four possible markets are listed.

    2. Rubber inner tubes and other rubber products such as hoses, bumpers, mats, etc., are also marketable. A single market has been identified and is listed.

  6. Miscellaneous

    1. Filters (oil, transmissions, gas, air) are not considered recyclable and should, therefore, be disposed of in an environmentally sound manner.

    2. CFC's from refrigerants are usually vented to the atmosphere. As regulations tighten, this approach will not be allowed. Attached is a listing of equipment manufacturers for refrigerant recovery. The market for reclaimed refrigerants is not well developed. Equipment prices range from $1,200 - $50,000. It should be remembered that solids removed would in all likelihood be considered as a hazardous waste.

    3. Air bag inflation cartridges contain sodium azide which is explosive. No information regarding recycle/reuse of these cartridges was available. Since the chemical used in these cartridges is reactive, it should be treated as a hazardous waste.

    4. Rags used for cleaning of engines should be sent to an industrial laundry.

    5. Although brake shoes contain asbestos, the U.S. EPA has not declared them as a hazardous waste. There appears to be no market for brake shoes.

  7. Inventory Control

    8. Computer tracking of inventory records to control overstocking of, used parts will allow salvage yard operators to control the number of vehicles in the system. This in turn will help reduce waste.

    In yards where customers are allowed to remove parts from salvaged vehicles, care should be taken to keep like vehicles in designated areas. This will help provide information on which vehicles are selling and which are not.

  8. Yard Maintenance

    9. Even in salvage operations which dismantle vehicles there will be a yard area that contains a core pile, auto shells, etc. This area should be well maintained. Weed growth should be kept under control. The ideal situation would be the installation of an engineering fabric, followed by gravel. This would keep vegetative growth under control as well as keeping the area clean by reducing dust and mud problems. This would allow for easier access, thereby encouraging improved inventory control.

    Engineering fabrics are inexpensive and easy to install and can provide a cleaner working environment. Existing yards can easily be retrofitted with such a system.

    It is suggested that a drainage swale or ditch be designed to collect all storm water runoff from the yard. Runoff should be collected in a holding pond or sump as discussed in Section III-D.

    NOTE: The attached list of available markets were those known to the author in October 1989. It is not intended as a recommendation or presented as a complete listing.

Some Markets for Salvage Yard "Waste"

  1. Metal Related

    2. Automobile/Truck Engines

    Hayes Iron & Metal, Inc.
    Route 1, Box 340
    Providence, NC 27315
    Douglas Alderson
    919-388-5986

    Also accept: metal

    Uncleaned Motors

    Webb Metals, Ltd.
    P.D. Box 551
    Dallas, NC 28034
    Eddie Webb
    704-922-5211

    Also accept: metals, glass, die cast

    A/C Coils

    Allen Recycling Center
    107 N. Chestnut Street
    Henderson, NC 27536
    Bonnie Allen
    919-383-9326

    Also accept: metal, radiators

    Catalytic Converters

    D.H. Griffin Wrecking Co., Inc.
    4700 Hilltop Road
    Greensboro, NC 27407
    Lawrence Coleman
    919-855-7030

    Also accept: metals, appliances, electric motors and generators

    Lee Iron & Metal Co., Inc.
    2219 South Horner Blvd.
    Sanford, NC 27330
    Bill Perry
    919-775-7951

    Also accept: metal, electric motors

    Texasgulf Minerals & Metals, Inc.
    1610 Frank Acres Road
    Anniston, AL 36201
    June Madison
    1-800-824-5092

    Batteries

    Arner & Brown
    319 S. Railroad Street
    Wilson, NC 27833
    Jeff Charles
    919-243-3586
    Also accept: metals

    Baucom Battery Service
    2339 Lucena Street
    Charlotte, NC 28206
    Michael Belcan
    704-376-7454
    Batteries only

    Greer Aluminum Recycling
    107 N.E. Market Street
    Reidsville, NC 27320
    Steve Greer
    919-342-4812
    Also accept: metal, radiators, glass

    Radiators

    Aluminum Recycling of Greensboro
    2412 S. Elm-Eugene Street
    Greensboro, NC 27406
    Vern Smith
    919-272-1553
    Also accept: metals

    Lumberton Recycling Co., Inc.
    P.0. Box 1290
    Lumberton, NC 28359
    Johnny Parsek
    919-739-4378
    Also accept: batteries, metals, heater cores

    Southern Metals Recycling
    P.O. Box 1769-2841
    Wilmington, NC 28401
    John Bryant
    919-762-9619
    Also accept: metal, autos, glass

    Battery Warehouse & Recycling
    1310 W. Lee Street
    Greensboro, NC 27403
    Bill Lemons
    919-273-1145
    Also accepts: metals & radiators

    Cohen & Green Salvage Co., Inc.
    445 Glidden Street
    Fayetteville, NC 28302
    Michael Green
    919-483-1370
    Also accept: metal, radiators, glass

    Sanders Lead Recovery
    P.O. Drawer 707
    Troy, AL 36081
    Scott Sanders
    1-800-633-8744

    Batteries only

    Biltmore Iran & Metal
    Meadow Road
    Asheville, NC 28813
    John Fisher
    704-253-9317
    Also accept: metals

    Rocky Mount Recyclers, Inc.
    232 Halifax Road
    Rocky Mount, NC 27804 Garry Ward
    919-443-1521
    Also accept: metal, glass

    Scrap Metal

    K & L Scrap Services, Inc.
    2310 Old Garner Road
    Raleigh, NC 27602
    Dave Jenkins
    919-828-5426

    L. Gordon Iron & Metal Co.
    1300 Salisbury Road
    Statesville, NC 28677
    Saul Gordon
    704-873-9004

  2. Petroleum Related

    3. Flammable/Combustible Petroleums

    Alternate Energy Resources, Inc.
    2730 Walden Drive
    Augusta, GA 30904
    Lamar Garrad
    404-738-1571
    Also accepts: paint, solvents

    Hydraulic Fluid

    Oldover Corporation
    P.O. Box 228
    Ashland, VA 23005
    Shirley Worsham
    804-798-7981
    Also accept: motor oil, etc.

    Oil (hydraulic)

    Noble Oil Services, Inc.
    formerly Harold Watson Waste Oil Service
    Star Route Box 77-A
    Swansboro, NC 28584
    Harold Watson
    919-393-8747
    email: nobleoil@wave-net.net
    Also accept: motor oil, transmission fluid

    M & M Chemical Co.
    Route 3, Box 285-B
    Attala, AL 35954
    Shirley Worsham
    205-538-3800
    Also accept: flammable/ combustible liquids, etc.

    C & L Scrap Metal
    Route 3
    Connelly Spring, NC 28612
    Robert Crawley
    704-397-7493

    Southern Metal Recycling, Inc.
    P.O. Box 1769-2841
    Wilmington, NC 2840
    John Bryant
    919-762-9619

    M & M Chemical Co.
    Route 3, Box 285-B
    Attalla, AL 35954
    Shirley Worsham
    205-538-3800

    Piedmont Oil Salvage, Inc.
    Route 1, Box 100
    Seagrove, NC 27431 Otis Graves
    919-879-3366
    Also accept: motor oil

    Heritage Environmental Services
    4132 Pompano Road
    Charlotte, NC 28216
    Gene Kube
    704-392-6276
    Also accept: motor oil, oily water combustible liquids

    Yarborough Oil Service
    1405 Chickasha Drive
    Pfafftown, NC 27040
    Henry Yarborough
    919-945-3162
    Also accept: motor oil

    Oil (motor)

    Baumgardner Co.
    1514 Blackgap Road
    Fayetteville, PA 17222
    Bill Ward
    1-800-233-0960
    Also accept: oil/water emulsions, wastewater

    Holston Energy, Inc.
    P.O. Box 720
    Waynesville, NC 28786
    Eric Helquist
    7o4-453-2836
    Also accept: petroleum sludges,wastewater

    Noble Oil Services, Inc.
    5617 Clyde Rhyne Rd
    Sandord, NC 27330
    James Noble
    1-800-662-5364
    919-774-8180
    Also accept: motor oil, oil/water emulsions, contaminated soil

    Recycle System of Western North Carolina
    272 White Pine Road
    Fletcher, NC 28732
    Fred Pratt
    704-684-3397
    Also accept: light

    Degreasing Solvents

    Allworth, Inc.
    500 Medco Road
    Birmingham, NC 35217
    Doug Carothers
    205-841-1707
    Also accept: solvents, paint

    Oil/Water Emulsions & Sludges

    Baumgardner Company
    1514 Black Gap Road
    Fayetteville, PA 17222
    Bill Ward
    1-800-233-0960

    Noble Oil Services, Inc.
    5617 Clyde Rhyne Rd
    Sanford, NC 27330
    James Noble
    1-800-662-5364
    919-774-8180

    Cherokee Resources
    1201 Berryhill Road
    Charlotte, NC 28208
    G.W. Hartsell
    704-332-8663
    Also accept: wastewater

    James Waste Oil Service
    P.O. Box 5651
    Charlotte, NC 28225
    Steve Hamilton
    704-332-8692
    Also accept: wastewater, cutting/lubricating oils

    Southeastern Chemical Co.
    170 S. Lafayette Blvd.
    Sumter, SC 29151
    Harold Talbert
    803-775-3200
    Also accept: paints, coolants, light grease, transmission fluid

    Prillman Chemical Corporation
    P.O. Box 4024
    Martinsville, VA 24115
    Stan Mitchell
    703-638-8829

    Heritage Environmental
    4132 Pompano Road
    Charlotte, NC 28216
    Gene Kube
    704-392-6276

    Holston Energy, Inc.
    P.O. Box 720
    Waynesville, NC 28786
    Eric Helquist
    704-452-2836

  3. III. Rubber Related

    4. Inner Tubes

    Morrison's Recycling
    P.O. Box 872
    Elkin, NC 28621
    Melvin Morrison
    919-835-6905
    Also accept: metal, glass, paper

    Tires

    Auto Salvage & Metal Recycling
    700 N. Green Street
    Greenville, NC 27834
    Bobby O'Neal
    919-758-9187
    Also accepts: autos, aluminum

    Waste Recovery, Inc.
    1773 Chelwood Circle
    Charleston, SC 29407
    Mike Kennedy
    803-571-3050
    Tires only

  4. Anti-Freeze Recyclers

    5. Forty Below
    Southeast Regional Office
    13217-A N. Nebraska Avenue
    Tampa, FL 33612
    800-328-5505

    Bio-Regional Energy Associates, Inc.
    Floyd Industrial Park
    Floyd, VA 24091
    703-745-3923

    Tire Recovery, Inc.
    P.O. Box 516
    Deep Run, NC 28525
    Johnnie Braxton
    919-568-3124
    Tires only

    JM Associates, Inc.
    RR 3 Boutonville Road
    South Salem, KY 10590
    John Manfredi
    914-241-1540
    914-763-3392

    Nalco Chemical Company
    Nalco Center
    Naperville, IL 60566-1024
    800-241-6053

    Copyright January 1990
    Stephanie Richardson
    North Carolina Pollution Prevention Program

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Last Updated: January 7, 1998