The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality will be providing free mercury switch collection kits to the first 50 salvage yards that volunteer for a pilot project to remove and recycle automobile switches that contain mercury.
DEQ will purchase the kits and send them to salvage yards that volunteer to remove the switches. Each kit can hold up to 450 switches and includes storage and shipping containers with prepaid postage for mailing to a mercury recycler.
“This voluntary program provides a quick and inexpensive method to protect the environment,” DEQ Director Robert Burnley said. “Volunteering for this project is a significant way for salvage operators to show a commitment to environmental leadership in their communities.”
DEQ is working with the Virginia Automotive Recyclers Association, which is coordinating the salvage yards, to promote the voluntary removal of the automobile switches. AERC Recycling Solutions of Ashland produces the collection kits and recycles the mercury from the switches.
Latest from Recycling Today
- Phoenix Technologies closes Ohio rPET facility
- EPA selects 2 governments in Pennsylvania to receive recycling, waste grants
- NWRA Florida Chapter announces 2025 Legislative Champion Awards
- Goldman Sachs Research: Copper prices to decline in 2026
- Tomra opens London RVM showroom
- Ball Corp. makes European investment
- Harbor Logistics adds business development executive
- Emerald Packaging replaces more than 1M pounds of virgin plastic
