What Makes a Recycler “Green”?
“Green” doesn’t always mean sustainable. Learn what sets SHiFT’s eco-friendly auto recycling partners apart, and how we ensure your vehicle is dismantled responsibly, safely, and with measurable climate impact.
Westover Auto Salvage’s story begins in 1994, when Paul Bachand realized his lifelong dream of owning a facility of his own. The original location sat near Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee, Massachusetts — the inspiration for the name. Just two years later, Paul moved operations to Belchertown, starting out with 50 vehicles on nine acres of land, working out of a pop-up trailer and a single rented garage bay.
Fast forward to today: Westover has grown into a thriving operation with nearly 30 employees, three major buildings (including a warehouse, dismantling area, and inventory bays), and between 1,200–1,500 vehicles on-site at any given time. The company recently acquired an additional 30 acres and is planning to install solar canopies that will create a two-megawatt solar farm — partially on reclaimed land — with the goal of offsetting the utility needs of local low-income housing.
"We keep moving forward and we make it happen."
For CEO Brian Bachand, the business is more than just a career — it’s a family legacy. “I wasn’t born out back in one of our depolluted vehicles,” he jokes, “but for the time I’ve spent here, I wouldn’t be surprised if they told me I was.”
Brian grew up exploring the yard, sweeping floors, stacking tires, and dismantling vehicles before working his way into inventory, sales, and management. That all-hands-on-deck mentality continues to guide the business today. As Brian explains, “What I do depends on the moment. I crush cars, I manage employees, I write checks — and I still pull and sell parts.”
The Bachand family’s philosophy has always been to put people first. “As my mom likes to say, We’re not in the parts business, we’re in the people business.” Westover is committed to helping every customer find what they need — even if that means connecting them with another recycler.
"We're not in the parts business, we're in the people business."
Westover Auto Salvage is intentional about distinguishing itself from the stereotypical junkyard. They maintain a clean, organized, eco-friendly facility and put heavy emphasis on quality and transparency. Every vehicle that enters the yard undergoes a rigorous depollution process, where fluids are drained safely and in compliance with SPCC regulations. Cars are inventoried and dismantled as needed, with 15–20 crushed and recycled each week.
The facility also recycles wastewater for washing parts, ensuring that nothing goes to waste. As Brian puts it, the business isn’t just about making sales — it’s about setting a higher standard for recycling.
“Green” doesn’t always mean sustainable. Learn what sets SHiFT’s eco-friendly auto recycling partners apart, and how we ensure your vehicle is dismantled responsibly, safely, and with measurable climate impact.
Westover’s relationship with Advanced Remarketing Services (ARS) goes back more than a decade. What started with occasional vehicle auctions has grown into a strong partnership that supports Westover’s inventory needs on a daily basis.
The connection deepened when Westover learned about the SHiFT Initiative through the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA). “Hearing Jeff Lavery, Chapin Griffith, and the ARS team talk about SHiFT really aligned with how we want to operate,” Brian says.
The benefits were immediate:
At first, some community members misunderstood SHiFT as another “Cash for Clunkers” program, but Westover worked to set the record straight: this was about full recycling and responsible dismantling. Since then, support has only grown stronger.
Beyond daily operations, Brian and Paul serve on the board of the Massachusetts chapter of the ARA and are active in committees shaping the future of the recycling industry.
One of the biggest challenges right now? The rise of electric and hybrid vehicles. These high-voltage vehicles present new risks — from complex battery chemistries to heightened fire hazards. Westover is taking a leadership role by collaborating with local fire and police departments to develop training protocols. This fall, they’re hosting a live exercise using hybrids and EVs to simulate fire scenarios and test fire suppression methods.
A unique part of this effort is that Westover Auto Salvage is also a dealer of high-voltage fire blankets — heavy-duty safety equipment designed to contain EV and hybrid fires. A direct portion of each sale supports the Automotive Recyclers Training Institute (ARTI). This service not only helps keep other facilities safer but also reinvests back into training the next generation of recyclers.
"Tailored solutions from people, not AI bots."
Westover Auto Salvage plays a vital role in the local economy by giving residents a safe, professional outlet for recycling their end-of-life vehicles. By keeping parts sourcing and recycling local, consumers save money and the community avoids the risks of pollution, abandoned vehicles, and unsafe disposal.
The facility also creates jobs, supports first responders through training, and helps advance the industry’s eco-friendly practices. It’s an operation where every crushed car contributes not just to business growth, but to community well-being.
For Brian, the work he’s most proud of is always “the next thing.” Whether it’s the next vehicle inventoried, the next system improvement, or the upcoming solar canopy project, Westover Auto Salvage is committed to building on its success while keeping sustainability at the forefront.
Brian also has a personal project in the works: his debut novel Dismantled Hearts: A Used Parts Mystery, a story that reflects both his passion for writing and his deep roots in the auto recycling industry.
From humble beginnings to industry leadership, Westover Auto Salvage embodies the future of eco-friendly recycling. Through innovation, community engagement, and partnerships like ARS and SHiFT, they’re proving that auto recycling is more than just a business — it’s a commitment to people, progress, and the planet.
