NVMSRP Ups the Ante on Mercury Switch Collection
The National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program (NVMSRP) Steering Committee met on July 24, 2008 for its second annual meeting. During the meeting, members of the Steering Committee reviewed second year program operations and accomplishments, discussed factors affecting the successful collection of mercury switches and laid out operational plans for the program’s third year, specifically aimed at substantially increasing the collection of automotive mercury switches. In addition, a subcommittee, the Implementation Fund Coordination Committee, announced that payment for mercury convenience light switches is increased from $1 to $4 per switch, and anti-lock brake system assemblies (that contain mercury switches) from $3 to $6 each.
The Steering Committee believes the operational plan’s intensified outreach, enhanced data analysis, focused targeting and increased recovery payment, along with EPA’s new air emission regulations (which includes participation in the NVMSRP as a compliance option) taken together will provide the synergy necessary to increase participation in the program and significantly increase switch recovery.
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On a related matter, in Massachusetts, the Mercury Management Act, created by the state’s Department of Environmental Protection, called for half of the 92,500 mercury switches in the state to be collected and recycled. But, very recently, it was reported from vehicle manufacturers that only 2,000 (~2%) switches were recovered from recycling and scrap companies.
Automakers will now be required to implement a new plan, to include paying vehicle recyclers and scrap processors $3 per switch removed from end-of-life vehicles. To read more, go to http://www.mass.gov/dep/public/press/0708emer.htm
