subject: Maryland Salvage Yard Environmental Concerns [print this page] The use of salvage yards is profoundly important to many environmental conservationist. The idea of no longer using landfills to dump old or unused motor vehicles is indeed commendable. Landfills though in some ways purposeful, create the toxic greenhouse gas methane that is emitted into the air during the decomposition of organic matter. They are sometimes also directly responsible for the pollution of underground water supply systems. Because of this the recycling of parts and metals in a salvage yard is normally highly regarded by environmental activists.
Salvage yards are operated with the intention of storing and retrieving useful parts from automobiles. These automobiles may be sent to these storage facilities because they are old and/or irreparable as a result of damages from probable vehicular collision. These automobiles are then organized into systematic stacks until they are required. Some salvaging yards may go ahead and dismantle the vehicle for parts well before any prospective customers express a desire for these parts. These salvage yards may also use showrooms where the parts are displayed, hence simplifying the process. But besides the actual sale and removal of car parts the vehicles may be sold as scrap metals to metal recycling factories for application in other industries.
However though salvage yards are useful alternatives to landfills there are still some environmental concerns that are expressed by groups like the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). The possible threat that these salvage yards may pose is the issue of storage and certain processing methods implemented. The greatest problem manifests from waste mismanagement which is said to have detrimental effects on the environment. Resultantly, there are many advocacy groups that try to encourage safer waste management practices in these facilities. In states like Maryland, proper salvage yard licensing is a requirement that is needed before any salvage yards can be founded. These licensing bodies will typically dictate the standards that must be followed. The struggle to keep salvage yards in appropriate working condition is a task that is presently ongoing by many different agencies like the EPA.
