ISRI Convention: The New EAF Rule

Mercury is considered a contaminant in the steel making process, but the only way to get mercury out of the mills’ air emissions is to ensure it is not in the scrap to begin with.

During the mercury switch update session during the 2008 ISRI Convention & Exhibition, a diverse panel of speakers discussed the new EAF rule along with how automotive recyclers can get the word out about the National Vehicle Mercury Switch Removal Program (NVMSRP).

Christopher J. Bedell, senior vice president and general counsel, The David J. Joseph Co., spoke about the EAF rule, which becomes effective on June 28, 2008. The EAF Area Source Rule requires EAF facilities to meet certain of their compliance objectives under approved scrap management plans to minimize the presence of materials such as chlorinated plastic, lead, free organic liquids and mercury switches in scrap.

The EAF Rule requires EAF facilities to participate in the NVMSRP or another EPA-approved program. The new rule also affects scrap suppliers. As part of mills’ participation in the program, they have committed to requiring their scrap suppliers to take steps to minimize the presence of mercury-containing switches in vehicle scrap by also participating in the NVMSRP or a similar EPA-approved program.

And if a company or facility receives vehicle scrap that already is crushed and/or shredded, its participation in the NVMSRP would require them, in turn, to provide written assurance that any scrap provided was procured from supplies that are signed up and participating in the NVMSRP or another EPA-approved program.

The NVMSRP is operated by the End of Life Vehicles Solutions Corp., (ELVS) and Mary J. Bills, executive director of ELVS, explained at the session that at no cost it will supply scrap suppliers with a collection bucket, a list of vehicles that potentially contain mercury switches, a removal brochure, an instructional DVD and detailed shipping instructions for the switches.

Steve Levetan, senior vice president, Pull-A-Part, spoke at the session from a dismantler’s perspective. He says participants have a specific role in the implementation of the NVMSRP and they have a responsibility to reach out to other companies about the program. One method of outreach he says is to go to the shredder where the cars are located and distribute a handout that was developed as a joint effort.

For the program to be successful, Levetan says it has to be easy to participate. The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. 2008 Convention & Exhibition was April 6-10 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.