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National Mercury Vehicle Switch Removal Program - Ohio
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A technician removing a hood switch.
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A close up of a hood switch.
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Both photos courtesy of
Ecology Center
117 N. Division St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
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The Ohio EPA fully supports and encourages all automobile recyclers to collect and recycle mercury switches from vehicles. Recycling vehicle mercury switches reduces mercury releases to air, water and soil, which can endanger both the environment and public health.
To best serve the interests of Ohioans, Ohio’s Voluntary Mercury Switch Removal Program for Auto Recyclers is making the transition to the National Mercury Vehicle Switch Removal Program (NMVSRP).
This program is completely voluntary for automobile recyclers and pays an incentive for participating. Additionally, steel mills and iron foundries in Ohio are required to certify that any steel they receive from automobile scrap is mercury free. By using steel from auto recyclers that are participating in this program, steel mills and iron foundries demonstrate that they are working to meet regulatory requirements.
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In September 2006, Ohio was one of the first states to partner with NMVSRP to collect automobile mercury switches. Since initiating the program, Ohio EPA has offered $3.00 per switch or ABS brake unit, compared to NMVSRP’s $1.00 per switch incentive. In August, 2008, NMVSRP increased the incentive amount to $4.00 per switch assembly and $6.00 per ABS brake unit. Ohio EPA has determined that it is in the best interest for Ohio and its automobile recyclers to fully integrate into the national program at this time.
Since Ohio’s switch collection program began, auto recyclers in Ohio have collected for recycling 41,310 mercury-containing automobile switches and $123,900 in incentives have been awarded. In September 2008, the administration of the program will be transferred to the End of Life Vehicle Solutions (ELVS) program. We look forward to many more years of removing mercury from Ohio’s environment.
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Making the Transition
All automobile recyclers that have signed up for Ohio’s mercury switch collection program are already a part of the NMVSRP and everything works exactly the same except now incentive payments will be coming from the NMVSRP contractor ELVS. No paperwork will be needed to collect the switches. After the transition, ELVS will send auto recyclers a new W-9 to fill out when they turn in their first bucket. That is all the paperwork needed.
If you have any questions about the transition to the national program feel free to contact Bill Narotski by phone at 800-329-7518 or by e-mail.
New Participants
If you signed up for the Ohio program, you are already in the national program.
Signing up for the program is simple. Call ELVS at 877-225-2587 to sign up over the phone or go to http://www.elvsolutions.org/contact.html to sign up for the program on-line.
Once you have signed up for the program, Environmental Quality (EQ), the mercury recycling contractor for the program, will send you a box (keep this box for the return shipment) containing:
- a bucket,
- information on the automobile models that have mercury switches,
- directions on how to pull switches, and
- directions on shipping the bucket to EQ, including a pre-paid UPS return shipment label .
Participating in the program is also easy. Pull out and collect the entire switch assembly. You DO NOT need to remove mercury pellets from the assembly. This will keep your workers safe and help prevent a mercury release from a broken pellet.
When your bucket is full, put the lid on, place the bucket into the box that it arrived in, attach the provided label, and mail it to EQ. Auto recyclers should put no more than 450 switches in a bucket (a larger number triggers Universal Waste Rule requirements). EQ provides a pre-paid UPS shipment label and will send you a new bucket to start collecting more switches. However, it's also a good idea to call EQ for the replacement bucket at 734-547-2511, before sending in a full bucket.
EQ will count and record the total number of switches in each bucket you send in. ELVS automatically sends out checks every month after the switches are turned in. You can stop participating in the program at any time. The first time switches are turned in ELVS will need a W-9 to process incentive payments, otherwise there is no additional paperwork.
We are excited about the program and hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity to do your part in getting mercury out of the environment. Funding is now available for this program, so we encourage you to contact ELVS soon.
Contact Information:
Contact ELVS at 877-225-2587 or go to http://www.elvsolutions.org if you have any questions about the program.
Requests for replacement buckets can be made directly to EQ at 734-547-2511.
Bill Narotski, Ohio EPA may also be contacted at 800-329-7518 or by e-mail if you need assistance working with ELVS or EQ.
Resource Links
End of Life Vehicle Solutions Web Site
A Quick Guide for Removing and Recycling Mercury Switches (ELVS) Brochure
The Environmental Quality Company (recycling contractor)
Auto Salvage Yards - Ohio EPA Compliance Information
Old Forms - not required by national program
Vendor Information Form
W-9
Division of Homeland Security Form
Division of Homeland Security Definitions
Updated September 3, 2008
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