Valley Auto Recyclers are leading the way in environmental stewardship and have achieved a Gold Standard Designation from the Automobile Recyclers of Canada (ARC).
Chris and Lloyd Morgan have owned the business in the HyGrade Industrial Park just over a year. This was the first time they tried for the national designation, and achieved an over 90 per cent compliance level to earn a gold standard.
“It’s a nice pat on the back to get this on our first try,” said Chris Morgan.
Gold is the highest level of compliance.
The designation assures the company is doing its part to responsibly operate its business by adhering to environmental standards. This affects virtually all aspects of the business.
These requirements begin as a car comes into the yard. This includes disposal of chemicals, oils and other harmful compounds. ARC has standards for how a vehicle is dismantled, how parts are stored and how the land and water are protected. It takes account of inventory management and final disposal of vehicles.
“We’ve worked hard not to be a junk yard. We are a recycling facility,” said Chris.
For the past year, the company has been improving the site, and at times, literally digging cars out of the coulee. He said inspectors for ARC recognized their effort to do things the right way.
This designation allows the company to expand its inventory and also further act as environmental leaders. In achieving the designation, Valley Auto Recyclers is now able to participate in programs such as "Cash for Clunkers" or "Retire Your Ride".
These programs are designed to take older vehicles, which contribute the most to air pollution, off the road for good.
These vehicles cannot be simply parted out like most acquisitions by a recycler. Vehicles that are 1995 and younger can be completely recycled and parts can be sold. If cars are older than 1995, they cannot sell any part that would keep another car of the same vintage on the road mechanically. This means they are not able to resell power train parts for example.
“It is a pretty good way to control higher polluting vehicles,” said Chris.
He adds these programs help build their inventory and give them the opportunity to sell newer parts.
Chris said they are looking at other endeavours such as making the site a place
for residents to dispose of used oil and are exploring a battery recycling program designed to raise funds for local charities.
