| Salvage yards in Texas have recently been | | | | Salvage yards in Texas and around the country have |
| undergoing a quiet makeover. Sliding silently into the | | | | spent over $50 million on environmental compliance. |
| past are the junk yards of yesterday where vehicles | | | | And since 1997 automotive recyclers have recovered |
| of all sorts went to slowly rust into oblivion. Today, | | | | enough steel from salvage vehicles to build 13 million |
| salvage yards in Texas, at least, are experiencing an | | | | new vehicles. The automotive recyclers of Texas |
| enlightenment of sorts. And they are proud to be on | | | | make sure they pass that savings on to the general |
| the cutting edge of environmentalism and recycling. As | | | | population, as well. Today over 95% of vehicles retired |
| a matter of fact that's exactly what they are calling | | | | from use are processed for recycling. By dismantling |
| themselves. No longer referred to as junk yards those | | | | and proper handling of the salvageable parts that are |
| in the great state of Texas are now "automotive | | | | removed from these inoperable vehicles, automotive |
| recyclers" and are participating in saving some of our | | | | recyclers can save the consumer up 50% of the cost |
| countries most precious resources, most notably iron | | | | of buying the same part new. |
| and aluminum. | | | | The weather in Texas also works to help recyclers |
| In days gone by most people never thought twice | | | | throughout the state. Because a large portion of |
| about what happened to all the automotive oils and | | | | Texas is an arid desert like climate, recyclers are able |
| corrosive fluids that eventually found their way into the | | | | to store more vehicles outside for longer periods of |
| ground water. Once the vehicles that contained them | | | | time, thus holding down overheads costs. They in turn |
| were abandoned and left to rust down these fluids | | | | are able to pass this savings on to customers. |
| begin infiltrating and polluting these fragile ecosystems. | | | | Automotive recyclers are also interconnected through |
| Today all that has changed. Automotive recyclers | | | | satellite and internet, often placing their inventory online |
| adhere to some of the strictest waste handling policy | | | | so that hard to find parts are available to consumers |
| in the country. As members of the ARA or | | | | all across the country. By utilizing direct access |
| Automotive Recyclers Association, the new | | | | inventory systems, automotive recyclers are able to |
| generation of salvage yards represents an industry | | | | quickly and efficiently locate parts for local customers |
| dedicated to the safe removal and disposal of | | | | or they can box and ship parts to customers a |
| hazardous wastes left from inoperable motor vehicles. | | | | continent away. This technology allows them to |
| They are also dedicated to the recycling and reuse of | | | | provide quick, efficient and economical service to |
| those parts that still have miles and years of service | | | | customers no matter where they may be. |
| left. | | | | |