Inside last June’s mega meeting
The auto recycling and scrap industries met in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2023, for a mega-meeting of the two end-of-life sectors associations. Dubbed the Winds of Change, the Canadian Association of Recycling Industries (CARI) event also co-hosted the national board meeting of the Automotive Recyclers of Canada (ARC), and the regional auto recycling association, the Automotive Recyclers Association of Atlantic Canada (ARAAC). The two sectors—the upstream auto dismantling group and the downstream scrap processing group—not only do business with each other but also operate to a certain extent in those other sectors. Auto dismantlers are increasingly interested in what scrap they can derive from end-of-life vehicles, and many scrap processors are vertically integrating and establishing more direct end-of-life vehicle processing capacity.
“Having the two sectors in the same place helped to bridge the gap between the two organizations. Joint sessions, joint receptions, and just meeting buyers and suppliers in the hallways really helped auto dismantlers understand how the downstream scrap sector operates,” said Dalbert Livingstone, ARC Chair and ARAAC Vice-President.
“I found it particularly productive, even if just from a travel and time away perspective,” said Steve Fletcher, managing director of the ARC. “I got the chance to interact with two organizations that I am either directly involved with [ARC and ARAAC] and one organization that I need to interact with more—CARI, all in one trip to a great destination.”
Two training sessions were jointly held for all delegates: Fire Safety, EV Management, and ISRI Training on Friday afternoon. Attendees gained valuable insights into ISRI’s training programs and resources, equipping them with essential tools to enhance safety protocols within their organizations. This session highlighted the industry’s commitment to maintaining a safe and responsible working environment. Navigating the Challenges of End-of-Life EVs on Saturday afternoon, Jeff Haltrecht joined Fletcher to shed light on the new challenges, opportunities, policies, and regulations surrounding end-of-life electric vehicles and their batteries. Fletcher presented the Roadmap and Implementation Plan for the Management of EOL EVs in Canada, developed by ARC for Natural Resources Canada.
Haltrecht, on the other hand, delved into the entire lifecycle of EV batteries, shared best practices for their management, and put forth policy recommendations. This session gave attendees a comprehensive understanding of the evolving EV landscape and empowered them to navigate the associated complexities. The convention concluded with a dynamic Town Hall session where CARI, ARC and ARAAC members came together to discuss common challenges and explore collaborative opportunities. Discussions revolved around material theft, safety concerns, and policy development. This interactive session fostered a sense of community and emphasized the importance of collective efforts in tackling industry-wide issues.
“Bringing our groups together gave our associations a great platform to find commonalities and areas where we can collaborate to better serve our members and our industries overall,” said Tracy Shaw, President and CEO of CARI. “We have two vital sectors with strong organizations supporting them, but we are even stronger together.”
