Dill's Auto Sales & Parts Receives Award from IDEM

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Rosemary Cantwell, Office of Land Quality Section Chief for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), presented James Dill of Dill's Auto Parts & Sales with the Indiana Clean Yard award at 10 a.m. today.

"Dill's Auto Sales & Parts is proud to become a part of the Indiana Clean Yard Program. We work hard to be good business citizens and protecting the environment is one of the greatest things we can do for the community," said James Dill.

Salvage yards receive and store wrecked vehicles containing antifreeze, gasoline, oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, batteries, mercury switches and tires. If not managed properly, wrecked vehicles stockpiled in salvage yards can pose an environmental threat.

IDEM is committed to helping auto salvage recyclers ensure environmental protection. IDEM has partnered with Automotive Recyclers of Indiana, Inc. (ARI) to develop a new recognition program to reward auto salvage yard operators that meet two different levels of requirements. This program is called "Indiana Clean Yard," and the awards are called "Indiana Clean Yard" and "Indiana Clean Yard - Gold Level."

"I am pleased to see companies like Dill's Auto Sales & Parts help lead the industry down a better path," said IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly. "This is a great example of how we can work with a particular business sector and help them find ways to improve their process while protecting Hoosiers and our environment. Auto salvage yards are an important part of Indiana's economy. Dill's Auto Sales & Parts has shown that by properly managing the wastes generated by their salvage operations, they can protect the environment while operating a viable business."

To pursue either of the Indiana Clean Yard recognitions, auto salvage yards begin by contacting IDEM for an environmental self-evaluation checklist. After correcting any problems as determined by the checklist, the yard becomes eligible for IDEM's Indiana Clean Yard award. If the facility meets additional requirements, it can receive the Indiana Clean Yard - Gold Level status. Achieving the highest certification level signifies that the auto salvage facility has gone beyond environmental regulations to show that it cares about the community and is committed to protecting the environment.

IDEM launched its current initiative for auto salvage facilities in 2007 with a State Innovative Grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. IDEM staff members have since conducted hundreds of inspections around the state to help steer Indiana's 650-plus auto salvage recyclers toward better environmental stewardship and encourage their compliance.
To register or receive more information about the Indiana Clean Yard and Indiana Clean Yard - Gold Level awards, call (800) 451-6027, ext. 4-6960.

Auto salvage recyclers can obtain free, confidential compliance assistance and request confidential site visits by contacting IDEM's Office of Pollution Prevention and Technical Assistance toll free at (800) 988-7901. For more information, visit the IDEM Web site at www.idem.IN.gov/4993.htm.