Purpose:
To support The Auto Recycling Project which seeks to reduce water pollution levels into San Francisco Bay generated by auto dismantling.

Up to 2.5 million vehicles reach the end of their useful life in California each year. With the sheer volume of these end-of-life vehicles, or ELVs, comes the potential for significant environmental damage. ELVs contain harmful materials such as waste fuels, waste oil, lead-acid batteries, airbag canisters, ethylene glycol, mercury, nickel, lead, and cadmium.

While businesses that process ELV materials keep hundreds of thousands of vehicles and their accompanying hazards out of landfills, operators can inadvertently contribute to a range of environmental problems if fluids and parts are not disposed with appropriate care. Auto recycling facilities that process these ELV materials represent a significant yet unquantified and uncharacterized source of non-point source water pollution and contribution to The Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL). The California Regional Water Quality Control Board develops water quality objectives (TMDLs) which are sufficient to protect beneficial uses for each water body found within its region.

A collaborative effort between industry, regulators, and environmentalists, The Auto Recycling Project seeks to enhance water quality by encouraging facilities to implement improved business and best management practices on site.

Primary Contact for the Project:
Mike Gerel, Project Manager
Phone: (415) 977-0380 ext.312
E-mail: mgerel@sucon.org

Secondary Contact for the Project:
Ashley Boren
Phone: (415) 977-0380 ext.306
E-mail: aboren@suscon.org