Iowa Salvage Yard Environmental Concerns
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 main goal of storing and retrieving useful parts from automobiles. These automobiles may be brought to these storage facilities because they are old and/or irreparable as a result of damages from likely vehicular collision. These automobiles are then organized into efficient stacks until they are required. Some salvaging yards may go ahead and pull down the vehicle for parts well before any prospective customers express a need for these parts. These salvage yards may also use showrooms where the parts are exhibited, hence making the process easier. But besides the actual sale and removal of auto parts the vehicles may be sold as scrap metals to metal recycling factories for use in other industries.
However though salvage yards are acceptable alternatives to landfills there are still some environmental concerns that are highlighted by groups like the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). The possible threat that these salvage yards may pose relates to the issue of storage and certain processing methods implemented. The greatest problem materializes from waste mismanagement which is said to have dire effects on the environment. Resultantly, there are many advocacy groups that try to inspire safer waste management practices in these facilities. In states like Iowa, proper salvage yard licensing is a requirement that is needed before any salvage yards can be established. These licensing bodies will generally dictate the standards that must be followed. The struggle to keep salvage yards in proper working condition is a task that is currently ongoing by many different agencies like the EPA.
