ATLANTA, Nov. 7, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has awarded the Pull-A-Part Indianapolis location the Indiana Clean Yard-Gold Level award for auto salvage businesses. Pull-A-Part ( www.pullapart.com ) is an award-winning family business serving the do-it-yourself, used auto parts market.
The Gold Level IDEM award is the highest certification level offered by IDEM, and achieving the Gold Level signifies that the recipient has gone beyond environmental regulations. Of 650 auto recycling operations in Indiana, only three achieved Gold status. Pull-A-Part earned the first-ever Indiana Clean Yard-Gold Level award from IDEM in 2009. The 2013 award is the third consecutive Gold Level award earned by the Pull-A-Part Indianapolis location. Each award covers two years.
According to IDEM, the Gold Level award illustrates that the business cares about the community and is committed to protecting the environment. "Pull-A-Part has been leading the industry down a better path in Indiana," said IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly. "We are proud to recognize them for their environmental leadership. This is a great example of how we can work with a particular business sector and help them find ways to improve their processes while protecting Hoosiers and our environment."
IDEM is committed to helping auto salvage recyclers ensure environmental protection. In partnership with Automotive Recyclers of Indiana, Inc., IDEM developed Indiana Clean Yard to reward auto salvage yard operators that meet two different levels of requirements, Clean Yard and Clean Yard – Gold Level. To pursue either of the recognitions, auto salvage yards must perform an environmental self-evaluation against a checklist provided by IDEM. After correcting any problems as determined by the checklist, the facility becomes eligible for the Clean Yard award. If the facility meets additional requirements, it can receive the Clean Yard – Gold Level status. In 2013, six of Indiana's auto recycling operations were awarded Clean Yard status, while three achieved Gold status.
Atlanta-based Pull-A-Part, LLC operates a network of 27 used auto parts superstores in 12 states. By developing a unique operating system based on customer service and environmental responsibility, Pull-A-Part operates a sustainable recycling business that provides affordable used auto parts to consumers and high quality scrap metal, fluids and plastics for recycling. Since its founding in 1997, Pull-A-Part has made an exceptional commitment to resource conservation, waste reduction and pollution prevention as part of its business model.
Pull-A-Part has made a concerted effort to set the industry standard of excellence in handling and recycling end-of-life vehicles; its vehicles produce 21 percent less automobile shredder residue sent to a landfill as compared to typical vehicles delivered to a shredder.
In addition to the Indiana award, Pull-A-Part has been acclaimed for outstanding environmental responsibility and corporate citizenship by a number of federal, state and local organizations. It is the only member of the recycling industry to be accepted into the prestigious U.S. EPA National Environmental Performance Track Program; it also received the U.S. EPA National Partnership for Environmental Priorities Achievement Award for recycling mercury switches. In September, The Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection chose Pull-A-Part as one of six recipients of the state's 2013 Environmental Excellence Awards.
"Pull-A-Part had had four generations of our family involved in both sides of of the auto recycling business, and we understand the long-term ramifications of shipping the cleanest vehicles possible for recycling," said Ross Kogon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pull-A-Part. "A fundamental part of our business model involves capturing as much of the recyclable and reclaimable materials from each vehicle; equally important is that our owners view sustainability as a responsibility and a civic duty."
Editor's Note:
Pull-A-Part, with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, is an award-winning family business serving the do-it-yourself, used auto parts market. Founded in 1997, Pull-A-Part operates a network of 27 used auto parts superstores in 12 states. The company has been acclaimed for outstanding corporate citizenship and environmental responsibility by federal, state and local organizations. Pull-A-Part has made an exceptional commitment to resource conservation, waste reduction and pollution prevention. This orientation allows the company to provide affordable used auto parts to do-it-yourself consumers, while providing high quality scrap metal, fluids and plastics for recycling.
Pull-A-Part traces its roots to a business begun 105 years ago in Atlanta. The company is operated by the third and fourth generations of the founding family, whose values still affect every aspect of how Pull-A-Part functions, operationally and interpersonally.
More information is available at: www.pullapart.com , www.facebook.com/pullapartauto , and www.twitter.com/pullapartauto .
Media Contact: Jeannine Addams, Kristin Wohlleben 404.231.1132 office
