State
of California Auto Dismantlers Association
GENERAL INFORMATION
ON SCADA AND THE VEHICLE RECYCLING INDUSTRY
Licensed auto dismantlers provide an essential
service that directly addresses society's ever increasing
problem of what to do with end-of-life vehicles (ELVs).
An estimated 1.3 million vehicles will reach the end of
their useful lives this year in California, either by determination
of their owners or by being declared a total loss by an
insurance company. While those vehicles might otherwise
end up on the roadside or abandoned in empty lots, licensed
dismantlers acquire them and safely convert them into reusable/recycled
commodities. Component parts are tested and examined to
determine which can be reused or recycled. Fluids are extracted
and properly recycled. The reusable parts are removed, cleaned,
catalogued and stored. They are then sold to repair other
cars at a savings of up to 80% over the cost of new parts.
Recyclable materials are sent to a processor, and manufactured
into new products. There are about 1,400 dismantlers licensed
by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
The State of California Auto Dismantlers
Association (SCADA) is the statewide trade association of
licensed dismantlers, with about 200 members throughout
the state. SCADA members strongly believe in and support
responsible recycling and environmental protection. They
ensure the proper handling and disposal of all automotive-related
hazardous materials, including gasoline, oil, Freon, antifreeze,
brake fluid, transmission fluid, batteries, and tires.
In 2001, SCADA adopted the mandatory "Partners
in the Solution" program to provide recognition that
participating facilities meet specified business and licensing,
environmental, and safety standards. This proactive, industry-led
approach motivates facility operators to achieve a high
level of performance, and assists them in complying with
a complicated array of business, environmental, and safety
regulations. Other issues that SCADA
continues to address on behalf of the dismantling industry
include:
