Pollution risk in an auto recycler yard isn’t just about major spills. It’s usually about everyday pathways : dripping vehicles, fluid transfers, outdoor storage, and stormwater runoff. This checklist is designed to help you walk your facility and quickly answer two practical questions: Where could a release happen? If it did, could you show your controls and documentation without scrambling? It’s not legal advice and it won’t replace an environmental consultant. It will help you spot common gaps that create claims friction, regulatory attention, and underwriting assumptions. Looking for the short version? Start with our Rapid Pollution Risk Check for Auto Recyclers (5 Minutes) . This page is the full facility-walk checklist. The issues discussed here make more sense when you understand how auto recycler insurance is structured and why standard policies often fall short — we break that down in our Auto Recycler Insurance Explained guide. The 2-minute self-score Answer Yes / No / Not sure : We can track fluids from vehicle → container → vendor, with receipts/manifests. Our depollution process is written, consistent, and logged. Outdoor fluid storage is protected by secondary containment or equivalent controls. We understand where stormwater flows during a heavy rain and what prevents off-site runoff. We have a spill response plan, spill kits staged where they’re used, and training records. If you have more than one Not sure , your yard is likely carrying avoidable risk—and your insurance program may be relying on assumptions. 1) Site layout & drainage: “Where do liquids go?” Goal: know where fluids and stormwater can travel, especially toward drains, ditches, and outfalls. We have a current site map showing: vehicle intake/staging, depollution area, fluid storage, parts cleaning, crushers/shears, scrap piles, waste staging. We can identify stormwater flow paths (inlets, ditches, culverts, retention areas). Catch basins and drains are labeled or clearly identified.