Kowalski Auto Parts City earns Indiana Clean Yard Award for sixth time

INDIANAPOLIS– The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) awarded Kowalski Auto Parts City Inc. located at 25958 IN-2 in South Bend, Ind., with the company’s sixth Indiana Clean Yard award in recognition of their efforts to protect the environment. Hani Sharaya, IDEM Senior Environmental Engineer, presented a commemorative certificate to Jenn, Angel, and Mark Kowalski during a recent site visit.

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 the “Indiana Clean Yard” recognition program to reward auto salvage yard operators who meet two different levels of requirements: “Indiana Clean Yard” and “Indiana Clean Yard-Gold Level.”

All Hoosier businesses, including auto salvage recyclers, can obtain free, confidential compliance assistance and request confidential site visits by contacting IDEM’s Office of Compliance and Technical Assistance (CTAP) at 800-988-7901 or by visiting the CTAP website at idem.IN.gov/ctap. For more information about IDEM’s Indiana Clean Yard program visit idem.IN.gov/partnerships/indiana-clean-yards or the IDEM auto salvage program web page at idem.IN.gov/waste/waste-industries/auto-salvage-recycling.