Arkansas Takes Step in Passing Mercury Recycling Project

The Arkansas House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 323, which aims to boost the collection and recycling of mercury from automobile switches.

The bill was authored by State Senator Steve Bryles, D-Blytheville. It passed the Arkansas House by a vote of 94-1. It now goes to the governor for signature into law.

The purpose of the bill is to reduce the quantity of mercury in the environment by removing mercury switches from end-of-life vehicles, and by creating a collection and recovery program for the switches collected from vehicles in the state.

According to local press reports the state Department of Environment Quality will work with auto manufacturers to develop a program to remove the switches from the vehicles before they are recycled, said Rep. Kevin Goss, D-Wilson, who presented the measure in the House.

The bill was introduced earlier this month. It was passed by the Arkansas Senate Feb. 15^th.

If the bill is signed into law it will continue the number of states that are addressing the issue of mercury switches.

The state of New Jersey recently passed a similar legislation addressing mercury switches in end-of-life vehicles.