BRITISH COLUMBIA AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLERS (BCAR)
ara.bc.ca/b-c-auto-recyclers-division
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy has updated the implementation timeline for electric vehicle batteries under the Extended Producer Responsibility Five-Year Action Plan (2021 to 2026). British Columbia will be the first province to regulate EV batteries under extended producer responsibility (EPR).
With this updated timeline, the Ministry will be seeking an in-depth consultation with the sectors affected on how to assign EPR responsibility to producers, which promotes remanufacturing and repurposing of large batteries under a competitive regulatory framework. The first phase of large batteries will proceed in 2024, with consumer batteries for personal and recreational use, such as small energy storage applications or golf carts. EPR programs are expected to be operational in 2026.
Moreover, beginning April 30, 2024, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) will require B.C. auto recyclers to include pricing on a minimum of 60 percent of their A-grade auto parts inventory listed in the Car-Part system. This requirement only applies to the top 20 requested auto parts categories, in the B.C. market, via the Car-Part system. If an auto recycler does not meet this requirement, they will be removed as an ICBC preferred supplier.
Finally, the Automotive Retailers Association (ARA) is in its final phase of developing a new operational program for the Automotive Recyclers Environmental Association (AREA).The plan, which has yet to receive final assent, will effectively transfer operations over to the ARA. By using the ARA’s administrative infrastructure, and ability to advocate, the plan will help ensure the program remains viable and relevant to the industry.
ALBERTA AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLERS AND DISMANTLERS ASSOCIATION (AARDA)
aarda.com
With a new Executive Director, Joel Bouckaert, the Alberta association is modernizing its communication and approach to the auto recycling industry. Bouckaert’s first task was to update the AARDA website, making it easier for Members and the public to find information on the industry, and for the public to engage directly with auto recyclers.
Next up was a lively Convention in Calgary in September, where Bouckaert was introduced to the members. Steve Fletcher from ARC was their special guest speaker for that event, and he brought all the good things happening in Canada and around the world that auto recyclers need to know. Bouckaert and AARDA are focussing on bringing direct value to Members, through discounts and partnerships with suppliers and vendors, and expanding the membership with great information, industry advocacy, and dollars and cents savings.
SASKATCHEWAN ASSOCIATION OF AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLERS (SARA)
saskautorecyclers.ca
The Saskatchewan Automotive Recyclers Association’s (SARA) Annual General Meeting for members was held on October 21, 2023 in Regina at the Four Points by Sheraton. Representatives from six of SARA’s 17 member yards were in attendance. SARA has one probationary member, J.S. Truckmart of Estevan, who is awaiting their Canadian Automotive Recyclers Environmental Code (CAREC) audit to become a full member.
SARA is headed by Jack Smith of Top Line Salvage in Moose Jaw, Vice-President; Dale Nagel of Dale & Lisa’s Farm & Auto in Mossbank and Secretary-Treasurer, Michele Morrison of SGI Salvage in Regina. At the 2023 AGM, SARA welcomed Brendan Heggs and Dylan Crozier of Southside Auto Wreckers to their board, joining Shawn Conarroe of 5 Mile Auto Wreckers in Prince Albert.
SARA members continue to operate in compliance with CAREC. Like all auto recyclers, our members are concerned about the impact of electric vehicles on our industry and are closely following the industry updates provided by the Automotive Recyclers of Canada (ARC) and the Canadian Auto Recyclers magazine.
ONTARIO AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLERS ASSOCIATION (OARA)
oara.com
The year 2023 was another interesting year for Ontario auto recyclers. OARA continued to host the largest auto recycling convention & trade show in Canada, with another planned in 2024.
The association undertook a major research project with an environmental consultancy out of the UK to quantify the environmental benefits of the reuse of auto parts. The study, entitled The Environmental Benefits of Green Recycled Parts in Ontario, was meant to document the real-world benefits in using recycled parts to not only help meet emissions reduction and net-zero objectives, but also the positive impact they have on the entire automotive ecosystem. The report provided a real opportunity to put some facts and figures behind what we do as recyclers, allowing our members to gain confidence in what they are doing, as well as enabling other sectors to gain greater insight into our world and how we operate.
The emergence of electric vehicles in Ontario is a concern with OARA members as it is with auto recyclers around the world. This major change in propulsion creates opportunities and challenges that we are all grappling with. One bright spot was the emergence of, and OARA’s work with, Cyclic Materials in Kingston on the recovery of valuable and critical rare earth magnets from EVs. This demonstration project shows that there are more profit opportunities with EVs beyond just the battery itself. But the economical and safe recovery of the batteries for reuse and repurposing remain elusive goals.
The membership remains strong—the organization has lost (and gained) members, but is generally holding steady. With 96 direct members and 50 associate members, OARA remains one of the largest State/Provincial auto recycling associations in North America.
L’ASSOCIATION DES RECYCLEURS DE PIECES D’AUTOS ET DE CAMIONS (ARPAC)
arpac.org
Since December 11, 2023, ARPAC has been collaborating with the MELCCFP (Ministry of the Environment, Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks) to implement an electric vehicle battery recovery program with a group of 40 participants called the “tactical task force on the recovery and reclamation of electric vehicle batteries.” ARPAC is supporting Recyc-Québec in becoming the administrator of this soon-to-be program.
A first meeting set up by the MELCCFP took place in Québec City about the reduction and responsible management of plastics. Automobiles generate more than 40,000 tons of plastics annually in the province of Quebec. Following that meeting, ARPAC started discussions to implement a plastic recovery and recycling strategy for automotive vehicle plastics with the company Polystyvert.
ARPAC’s 2024 congress will be organized by Pièces d’Autos Fernand Bégin (Bégin Group) and held at Le Georgesville hotel in St-Georgesde- Beauce on September 13 and 14.
AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLERS ASSOCIATION OF ATLANTIC CANADA (ARAAC)
araac.ca
The 2023 Convention that ARAAC held in Halifax with the Canadian Association of Recycling Industries (CARI) and the Automotive Recyclers of Canada (ARC) board was a great success. There were changes in the representation of ARAAC on the ARC Board of Directors. Ed MacDonald stepped down after years of service dating back to the start of ARC in 1995. He was replaced by his son, Andrew MacDonald from Maritime Auto Parts, so a MacDonald continues on the ARC Board. “We sincerely thank Ed for his service and look forward to Andrew bringing Atlantic Canada concerns and perspectives to the national Board. Andrew is joined by Dalbert Livingstone from Island Auto Supply who chairs the ARC Board of Directors,” writes ARAAC.
ARAAC continues to follow the demise of American Iron Metal’s auto shredder at the federal docks in Saint John New Brunswick. After a series of fires and explosions the shredder has been shut down, and this has prompted a thorough review of the licensing of salvage operators in the province. AIM’s initial approval required that they only purchase vehicles processed to the standard of ARC’s Canadian Auto Recyclers Environmental Code (CAREC), which is something ARAAC does not believe they were following and may have led to the environmental problems AIM encountered. This is a great opportunity to demonstrate the power of CAREC and membership in ARAAC.
In June 2024, ARAAC will meet in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and invite all ARC Members to attend this beautiful part of our country.
