Ohio EPA offers cash to salvage professionals
for auto mercury switches
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
launched an automobile mercury switch removal program. The EPA in
a partnership with End-of-Life Vehicle Solutions Corporation (ELVS),
will provide licensed auto salvage yards $3 for each mercury switch
they remove prior to dismantling or crushing vehicles.
Mercury-containing switches are commonly found
in the hood, trunk and ABS components of automobiles manufactured
before 2003.
Ohio EPA’s goal is to collect and recycle
20,000 switches with initial $60,000 seed money, and then explore
options to secure additional funding as needed.
The initial funding came from a recent enforcement
case settlement.
Participation in the program has been set up with
minimal paperwork for auto recyclers.
Ohio EPA will begin an outreach campaign, sending
letters to all licensed auto salvage yards in the state and posting
additional information and instructions on how to sign up for the
program on the Web.
Since mercury switch convenience lighting no longer
is installed in most vehicles, Ohio EPA expects the majority of
switches to be collected within the first few years the program
is in place.
ELVS will arrange for collection and transport
of the switches to proper recycling or disposal facilities.
For more information on the mercury switch removal
program, contact Laurie Stevenson by phone at 614-644-2344 or by
writing to Ohio EPA, Office of Compliance Assistance and Pollution
Prevention, Attention: Laurie Stevenson, Lazarus Government Center,
PO Box 1049, Columbus, Ohio 43216-1049.
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