Detroit Salvage Yards Clean Up Their Acts

Despite all the snow and ice that hit Michigan this week, Detroit is looking greener than ever this Winter. This week, Detroit Mayer Mike Duggan issued Executive Order 2019-1 to establish a moratorium on auto salvage yards, repair shops, and the likes in Detroit for the next year. Taking effect on April 1st, 2019 and running until March 31st, 2020, the moratorium is aimed at reducing the concentration of these types of business in the city, as well as weeding out such businesses operating without the proper permits or are not up to code in their procedures. Currently operating businesses with proper licensing which are following already-established regulations will not be affected by the moratorium.

Being the Motor City, it comes as no surprise that there are plenty of salvage yards, repair shops and auto parts retailers in and around the city of Detroit. Unfortunately, however, some owners of these businesses don’t always follow the necessary legal steps before opening shop, and that can have many negative impacts on the community. In order to save overhead costs and be able to offer parts at untouchably low prices, some salvage yards, auto recycling facilities, and repair shops operate without permits, certificates of compliance, or business licenses. Further, some businesses have chosen not to follow environmental regulations when it comes to part and fluid recycling so that they can avoid costly installation and service calls for the required disposal equipment. Not only is this extremely harmful to the planet but draining fluids into the ground and letting parts rot and rust into the Earth could potentially introduce harmful chemicals into the city’s water supply, pollute the air, and in general harm the health of citizens in the community.

During the course of the next year while the moratorium is in effect, new businesses in this space in the industry will not be able to open shop or complete the necessary zoning, licensing, etc. needed to legally open. During this time, the city of Detroit will be ensuring that the businesses that are currently open are up to code regarding their permits, licenses to operate, disposal of waste, and so on. If a business does not meet the requirements needed to stay open legally, they will be forced to shut down and will not be able to open again until the moratorium concludes and they sort out the necessary legalities. The businesses which are currently operating legally, however, will not be affected and will be able to renew permits, licenses, and so on during this time if need be.

This moratorium is being put into effect with the intention to level the playing field for businesses and ensure that consumers have access to safe, clean, and legal auto parts. As stated above, many salvage and repair yards that are currently operating illegally attempt to save costs by improperly disposing of waste or offering low-quality parts to consumers. By not dismantling, cleaning, draining, and testing parts before selling them, these businesses are introducing harmful chemicals and dangerous toxins into the ground, polluting the air we breathe, water we drink, and so on. Further, by offering parts at unreasonably low prices due to skipping out on required legal procedures, these illegal businesses are able to run their legal competitors out of businesses that are selling legal, tested parts at higher prices to make up for the costs of operating legally, properly disposing of waste, etc. Although on the surface it may seem like this will cost consumers more, they actually end up saving money in the long run by purchasing tested parts that are certain to work, instead of picking up illegally-obtained, untested auto parts that are prone to breaking and needing more replacements down the line.

Overall, the auto yard moratorium in Detroit is aimed to be a great thing for the community. By eliminating illegally-operating businesses around the city, consumers will have access to higher-quality parts from trusted retailers that are actually interested in the well-being of their customers and their vehicles. Retailers will be more likely to stand behind their parts and provide better, legal, automotive services, and we can all enjoy a cleaner environment with less unnecessary pollution caused by salvage yard waste.

At Holbrook Auto Parts, we’re excited to see the city of Detroit stepping up to ensure the best possible business environment in this section of the auto industry, as well as ensuring the industry reduces its negative impact on the environment. With Detroit businesses running in an eco-friendly manner, we can safely continue to provide high-quality auto parts to our customers at reasonable prices they can walk away from happily.

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