Vermont Business Magazine Amid inflation and high prices, Vermonters can get extra cash by disposing of junk cars. In 2015, the State of Vermont created the Salvage Yard Rule (bit.ly/SY-Rule) to ensure the safe, proper, and sustainable operation of salvage yards (also known as junk yards) to protect human health. and protect the environment. Any Vermonter who owns four or more of her unregistered and uninspected cars or vehicles (or other junk) on her property needs a salvage yard permit.
The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is stepping up its efforts to clean up unauthorized salvage yards and help more Vermonters comply with state regulations.
“Often, Vermonters who find themselves not following the rules choose to follow them. They apply for permits, remove or donate their vehicles, and register and inspect their vehicles.” said DEC Commissioner John Belling. “However, there have been cases of non-compliance, and enforcement actions should be taken, including requiring the payment of fines.”
DEC has some tips for Vermonters who want to follow the rules and still get paid.
- Please contact a nearby licensed salvage yard (bit.ly/VT-SY) to arrange vehicle pick-up or drop-off.
• Salvage yards often pick up your vehicle for free and may take your scrap metal for cash.
• Remove debris from the vehicle and prepare and access the vehicle for pickup.
• Please note that vehicles less than 15 years old require title in order to transfer the vehicle to the salvage yard. Vehicles over 15 years old do not need to be transferred.
- Use our tow service to take your vehicle to the salvage yard. Wrecker companies may accept the value of scrap metal as payment for towing services.
- Contact DEC for assistance in calling and coordinating vehicle removal. Contact DEC Accessible Assistance Specialist, Jackie Peterson (802-461-7182) or Jacqueline.Peterson@vermont.gov.
- Donate your vehicle, boat or camper to the Good News Garage (bit.ly/GNG-Donation) or Sierra Club Foundation (bit.ly/SCF-Donation) and it will be recovered for free. You also get a tax exemption. For more information, please call the Good News Garage at 877-448-3288 or the Sierra Club Foundation at 855-337-4377.
- Register and inspect your vehicle.
- It becomes a permitted salvage yard.
• To become a licensed salvage yard, complete and obtain a Certified Location Certificate (bit.ly/VT-COAL) for the town where the salvage yard is located. Next, fill out an application (bit.ly/SYP-Permit), submit it to the Vermont Salvage Yard Program (bit.ly/VT-SYP), and pay the annual permit fee.
Vermonters may face civil penalties if they fail to follow salvage yard rules. However, prompt remediation may reduce the likelihood or severity of enforcement action.
For more information on salvage yards, permits, regulations, etc., please visit the Salvage Yard Program web page at bit.ly/VT-SYP. If Vincent Chiorgno is not available, please contact Barb Schwendtner at 802-249-5904 or Barb.Schwendtner@vermont.gov.
T.his department Environmental conservation is responsible for protecting Vermont’s natural resources and protecting human health for the benefit of present and future generations.visit dec.vermont.gov Obey the Department of Environmental Conservation. Facebook When Instagram.
MONTPELIA, VT Oct. 6, 2022 – Vermont Natural Resources Agency website
