Why We Built WARA, and What It Means for the Future of Our Industry
by Sandy Blalock
WARA is focused on expanding access to training, improving communication across states, strengthening vendor relationships, and supporting recyclers as they navigate increasingly complex vehicles and regulations…and creating a stronger, more unified voice when it comes to advocacy.
A New Chapter for Western Auto Recyclers
I’ve spent a long time in this industry, first owning and managing a recycling facility, then working alongside recyclers across the country, and one thing has always stayed with me, when recyclers come together, good things happen. That’s not just something we say, it’s how this industry operates at its best.
A few of us in the West started talking about what that could look like on a larger scale, not just within our own states, but across the entire region. We have recognized an opportunity to build something more connected, something that strengthens our industry and helps recyclers move forward together in a meaningful way.
At the end of the day, that’s what professional auto recyclers do best, we share ideas, solve problems, and support each other. That mindset is what opened the door to a new chapter for Western auto recyclers.
It also led to the creation of the Western Auto Recyclers Alliance, WARA, and the launch of our inaugural event, Synergy West, Education, Tech & Industry Showcase, which took place February 19–21, 2026, in Reno, Nevada.
“We didn’t build this to be different; we built it to be useful.” That statement, shared by Greg Daurio of Daurio Auto Truck and President of WARA, captures exactly what this effort is about.
This wasn’t built to check a box or create something new for the sake of it. It was built to serve working recyclers, to deliver real value, and to reflect the way this industry actually operates.
Why a Western Alliance, and Why Now
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with state associations across the country. What became clear, especially in the West, is that while we have strong individual state organizations, we have not had a consistent way to connect, collaborate, and move forward together as a region.
At the same time, our industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace. Vehicles are more complex, EVs are entering our facilities, regulations are changing, and technology is reshaping how we buy, inventory, and sell parts. Many of our most experienced people are also stepping away from the business. These are challenges every recycler is facing, and they do not stop at state lines.
In the West, we also face a unique set of legislative and regulatory issues that do not always mirror what is happening in other parts of the country. Whether it is environmental requirements, rural logistics, or emerging policies around EVs and materials handling, our region often operates under a distinct set of realities. Having a unified group that can focus on those issues, strengthen advocacy efforts, and ensure our voice is heard is a critical part of what WARA was built to do.
WARA was intentionally designed to work alongside state associations, not in place of them, adding strength through shared resources, stronger advocacy, and greater regional alignment that benefits every state involved.
WARA was created to bring Western states together in a way that strengthens everyone without replacing anyone. Each state maintains its independence, its identity, and its leadership. What we are doing is improving communication, aligning efforts where it makes sense, and creating the ability to share the strengths of each state across the region so we can move forward together instead of working in isolation.
A Regional Event Built with Purpose
Synergy West was a direct extension of that vision.
We did not set out to create just another industry event.
The goal was to build something that works for Western recyclers, something more focused, more practical, and more aligned with what actually happens in our operations every day.
The event began with an evening at the National Automobile Museum, which created an opportunity for attendees to reconnect, build new relationships, and set the tone for a collaborative and productive few days.
From there, the focus stayed on value. Friday was dedicated to hands-on workshops and user group sessions with the systems many recyclers rely on daily, including CRUSH, URG, Buddy, Car-Part.com, Solera and eBay, CCC, and EZ Suite. These were not surface-level discussions, they were working sessions designed to help recyclers operate more effectively when they returned to their facilities.
Saturday delivered a full day of education centered on real-world challenges, including EV and hybrid vehicle handling, cybersecurity and operational efficiency, inventory control and parts yield, e-commerce strategy, and the role of artificial intelligence in our industry. The focus throughout was on practical application, not theory, and on providing takeaways that could be used immediately.
Built for Recyclers, Grounded in Reality
Everything behind WARA is grounded in real-world experience.
This industry does not operate in theory, it operates in facilities, in parts rooms, and in day-to-day decisions that impact safety, compliance, and profitability. That is why every part of this effort is built with a clear purpose, if it does not help recyclers operate better, it does not belong.
WARA is focused on expanding access to training, improving communication across states, strengthening vendor relationships, and supporting recyclers as they navigate increasingly complex vehicles and regulations. It is also about creating a stronger, more unified voice when it comes to advocacy, because the challenges we face are larger than any one business or any one state.
The Value of Working Together
One of the most important aspects of WARA is the opportunity it creates for connection.
Some of the best ideas in this industry do not come from a stage, they come from conversations between recyclers who are dealing with the same challenges. They come from sharing what works, learning from what does not, and supporting each other along the way.
By creating more opportunities for those conversations, and by strengthening the network across the Western region, WARA is helping build a more connected and capable industry.
“This industry has always been strongest when we work together,” said one participant. That principle has guided this effort from the beginning, and it continues to shape what comes next.
Stronger Together
The message behind WARA is straightforward, the Western region is stronger when it works together.
By aligning state associations, strengthening vendor partnerships, and creating meaningful opportunities for education and collaboration, we are building something that supports the long-term future of the automotive recycling industry across the West. Our inaugural event, Synergy West, was the first step, and it demonstrated what is possible when recyclers come together with a shared purpose. We have laid the groundwork, and with a Board of Directors representing multiple Western states, WARA is positioned to continue driving collaboration, advocacy, and progress across the region.
At its core, WARA is about empowering recyclers for the future of this industry. We are committed to fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing that improves efficiency, sustainability, and profitability, while strengthening advocacy to ensure our industry has a voice in the policies and regulations that shape our future.
Through education, networking, and coordinated advocacy, WARA is creating new opportunities, supporting responsible environmental practices, and helping professional auto recyclers stay ahead of evolving vehicles, technologies, and market
demands.
WARA is about building something that lasts, something that supports recyclers not just today, but well into the future. If you are an automotive recycler in the West and believe in strengthening this industry through collaboration, advocacy, and shared experience, then you are already part of what WARA represents.
Because when Western auto recyclers move forward together, we don’t just keep up with change, we help lead it.
