Michigan Junk Yards Working for the Environment

Junk yards in Michigan are experience a renewal of sorts. Getting a facelift, fresh for the 21st century, the junk yards here are also changing the way they do business.

Junk yards used to be places where unwanted vehicles went to die but all that is changing. By working together with the Environmental Protection Agency, some of the strictest waste handling policy are being enforced to ensure that hazardous wastes material do not find their way into Michigan's precious ecosystems.

Many people are unaware of how many dangerous chemicals are actually contained within a vehicle. When these inoperable vehicles are left to clutter up our streets and landfills they present more than an eyesore, they are an environmental nightmare. Just a few of the hazardous waste products contained in passenger cars and trucks include automotive oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, Freon and mercury, which is contained in compartment lights and switches. Training in how to recover and safely dispose of these hazardous waste products is just one of the changes that have been made to ensure that Michigan's environment is preserved. Auto recyclers of the state have invested millions of dollars in the last technology to conform to environmental compliance. Not only is the air and ground water protected, but as of 1997 automotive recyclers have recovered so much metal from recycled vehicles that 13 million new cars have been produced from it. This recycled metal ensures that precious reserves nonrenewable resources such as iron and aluminum are left undisturbed.

While these are great strides in terms of the environment, the residents of Michigan profit in another way as well. The recycling efforts of salvage yards provide Michigan citizens with an opportunity to save a ton of money. All cars need repairs once in a while and some of these repairs can prove quite costly. By choosing to used auto parts instead of new ones, consumers are not only saving a ton of money but doing their part to help the environment. Quality used parts are generally up to 75% cheaper than buying new from the dealership. That's a significant savings and in today's financial climate, who doesn't need that type of savings.

While auto recyclers in Michigan have been installing technology to help save the environment, they have also installed some of the latest computer technology. Now when vehicles are brought in and dismantled, those parts that are acceptable for resale are inventoried into a direct access program that recyclers, mechanics and consumers can access online. When a part is needed today, there is no need to spend time calling around town to find it. Just a few clicks of the mouse are usually all that is required to find the necessary parts. If the part is available locally, then one can simply ride over and pick the part up. If the part should be located across the state or even across the country, that is not a problem either. Most auto recyclers are glad to ship the part wherever it needs to go.






Ronnie Tanner is a contributing writer at Michigan Junk Yards. He writes about Michigan junk yards, used auto parts and other industry specific topics.