Motor Vehicle Recycling

photo of a front end loader lifting a crushed car

Introduction
Contacts
Statutes
Forms
Additional Information
Other Related Links

Introduction

Maine law requires motor vehicle dismantling businesses to take certain actions to prevent contamination of Maine’s land, water and air. This includes proper handling of waste such as mercury switches and mercury-added lamps, waste fluids, air-conditioning refrigerants, batteries and tires, and implementation of a stormwater control plan. To help motor vehicle recycling yards comply with these the various laws, the Maine DEP has developed the guidance "Best Management Practices for Motor Vehicle Recycling" (currently being updated).

Maine’s “Junkyards and Automobile Graveyards” law requires junkyards, automobile graveyards and auto recyclers to remove automotive fluids, refrigerants, batteries, mercury switches and mercury headlamps from non-operating vehicles within 180 days of receipt and before crushing or shredding of the vehicle. Yards that have more than 1320 gallons of oils, including gasoline, diesel, heating and waste oil, stored on site also must have a “Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures” (SPCC) plan.

Federal law requires businesses that buy auto scrap to have documentation from their suppliers that all fluids, mercury switches and lead-acid batteries have been removed from the vehicles. Also, all junkyards, automobile graveyards and auto recyclers must be licensed by their local municipality.

Contacts

Mercury Switch Removal Program
Enid J. Mitnik Automobile Mercury Switch Removal Program
(207) 287-8556 or 287-2651 Enid.Mitnik@maine.gov

Small Business Assistance Program
Roy Krout 1-800-789-9802
(207) 287-8550 or 287-2651 Roy.T.Krout@maine.gov

Stormwater Multi-sector General Permit Program
Lauren Lohn 287-7698 or Lauren.C.Lohn@maine.gov

Statutes

Laws covering junkyards, automobile graveyards and automobile recycling businesses

Mercury Switch Requirement

Mercury switch removal requirement

Forms

November 17, 2004 Mercury Switch Log Sheet (pdf format)

Certification of removal of fluids, batteries and mercury switches (pdf format)

Additional Information

Guidelines

Best Management Practices for Auto Recycling (Currently being updated)

Updated June 20, 2008 - Auto Dismantlers Guide to Recycling Mercury Switches and Mercury Lamps (pdf format) If you would like to have a copy of this guide or Appendix A, please call Enid Mitnik @(207) 287-8556.

Model Auto Salvage Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. Model Auto SWPPP (pdf file); Model Auto SWPPP (MS Word file).

Reports on Maine's Mercury Vehicle Switch Removal Program

Auto Recyclers Newsletter

Winter/Spring 2004 in (pdf format) To receive a hardcopy, please e-mail Roy Krout or call (207)287-8550

Spring/Summer 2003 in (pdf format)

Other Related Links

BMV Dealer Section - (207) 624-9000 ext. 52143 - (Off-Site)

Environmental Leader - Environmental Results Program (ERP)

Oil Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures

Safety Requirements for Above Ground Storage Tanks for Combustible Liquids (Off-Site)

Stormwater Permit Program for Auto Salvage Yards

http://www.epa.gov/region1/assistance/salvageyard/ - (Off-Site)

http://www.epa.gov/region1/assistance/salvageyard/contacts/me.html (Off-Site)