The Missouri Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with End of Life Vehicle Solutions is encouraging salvage yards to remove mercury switches from scrap vehicles before recycling them.
The department is taking a multi-faceted approach and looking for ways to reduce mercury contamination in Missouri. One approach is to ask vehicle recyclers and dismantlers for their help.
When recyclers and dismantlers join ELVS, they will receive a collection bucket, educational materials, a list of vehicles that potentially contain mercury switches, and detailed instructions for shipping the ELVS buckets. ELVS will arrange for the shipping and recycling of the mercury switches collected at the facility -- all of this free of charge to those participating in the voluntary program.
The National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program was formed as a result of an agreement reached in August 2006 by representatives from the dismantlers, automotive steel and scrap industries, environmental groups and a national group representing state governments and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. As part of the program, the auto industry organized the ELVS, a not for profit corporation.
For questions on the program contact the Missouri DNR at (877) 225-ELVS(3587), or send an e-mail to info@elvsolutions.org or visit the Web at www.elvsolutions.org.