DEM offers self-certification for scrap yards

PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Department of Environmental management is inviting auto salvage yards to take part in a voluntary program to help the businesses ensure compliance and reduce their environmental and health risks.
The program offers salvage-yard operators the opportunity to self-certify to the DEM that they comply with certain environmental regulations and best-management practices. Participating firms will be eligible for free on-site and telephone consultations on compliance as well as for cost-saving technical assistance with pollution prevention. They also will receive a certification workbook, brochure and fact sheets.
Salvage yards may face many health and environmental risks, the DEM noted, from potential for fire or explosion to risk of soil or water contamination to the release of airborne chemicals or asbestos particles to the accumulation of water that may serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
The self-certification program is being financed via an existing grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The University of Rhode Island’s Center for Pollution Prevention and Environmental Health is a partner in the program, which was designed by the DEM with input from the auto salvage industry. It follows successful similar programs for self-certification of body shops and underground storage tanks.
Salvage operators are asked to complete their self-audits by mid-September.
Meanwhile, they are invited to attend a June 13 workshop on stormwater discharge issues. The workshop will be presented by the DEM and the Narragansett Bay Commission, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Community of College of Rhode Island’s Warwick campus.
Additional information on the self-certification program or the June 13 stormwater discharge workshop is available at by calling Thomas Armstrong at the DEM’s Office of Technical and Customer Assistance at 222-4700, ext. 4412.

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