The Partnership for Mercury-Free Vehicles, a coalition of environmental organizations and industries involved in vehicle recycling, praise Maine’s passage of the nation’s first law mandating auto manufacturer responsibility for the removal of mercury from vehicles.
“We in the recycling industry have long been concerned about the use of potentially hazardous materials such as mercury in automobiles, “ Robin K. Weiner, president of the Institute for Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), says. “Maine’s new auto mercury law removes from the recycling equation a known public health hazard and helps to ensure that the auto manufacturers share in the responsibility for solving a problem created by their decision to use mercury in the first place.”
Bill Steinkuller, executive vice president of the Automotive Recyclers Association, says, “To our knowledge, automakers have yet to disclose their historical uses of mercury as well as specific models that contain mercury. Our members simply cannot assume the significant responsibility for disposing of these toxic substances.”
The Maine law creates a manufacturer-funded system for removing and disposing of mercury-added components, such as switches in convenience lighting found in trunks, before vehicles are crushed or shredded for recycling.
Currently no such system exists. Many mercury switches remain in vehicles as they go through the recycling process, which potentially can lead to environmental and health hazards.
“Maine’s ‘take-back’ requirements for auto makers to recover mercury make good economic and environmental sense – and steer design changes away from the use of toxic products,” Michael Bender, director of the Mercury Policy Project, says. “In a national first, this legislation bans the sale of autos containing mercury switches by year’s end. It sets a tremendous precedent for the passage of similar bills pending in Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Rhode Island and numerous other states across the country.”
Charles Griffith of the Michigan Ecology Center served on the State of Maine Advisory Task Force. Griffith says, “This law will go a long way toward eliminating one key source of mercury in our environment, helping reduce the risk that this toxic substance will cause serious developmental harm in fetuses and children.”
Steel Recycling Institute President Bill Heenan says, “Steel is America’s most recycled material and autos its most recycled product. In order to keep the most effective recycling infrastructure in America functioning, it must be protected from contaminants. Maine’s auto mercury law should lead the way for the rest of the nation in ensuring auto recycling continues.”
Members of the Partnership for Mercury-Free Vehicles are Automotive Recyclers Association, Clean Car Campaign, Clean Production Network, The Ecology Center in Ann Arbor, Environmental Defense, Great Lakes United, ISRI, Mercury Policy Project, Steel Manufacturers Association and the Steel Recycling Institute.