The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is launching an automobile mercury switch removal program. The Agency, partnering with End-of-Life Vehicle Solutions Corp., will provide licensed auto salvage yards $3 for each mercury switch they remove prior to dismantling or crushing vehicles.
Ohio EPA's goal is to collect and recycle 20,000 switches with the 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.
Participating in the program is simple and 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 with additional information and instructions on how to sign up for the program. 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 created by numerous automakers, will arrange for collection and transport of the switches to proper recycling or disposal facilities.