Mercury in Arkansas has been a problem. In the case of motor vehicles, mercury is released when scrap vehicles are shredded and smelted to make recycled steel. Most of this mercury eventually will be released to the air unless these switches are removed before the vehicles are flattened or crushed. Mercury gets into our streams several ways, which include rain and runoff. When conditions are right in the water, certain kinds of bacteria change inorganic mercury into methylmercury. At this time, Arkansas has over 20 mercury fish advisory areas. Fish that eat smaller fish have a higher build up of mercury in their system. This form of mercury is the one most likely to get in our food chain and cause health problems such as damage to your kidneys or the nervous system.

Legislative Acts

In early 2005 the Arkansas General Assembly passed Senate Bill 323/Act 649 better known as the "Mercury Switch Removal Act of 2005" to remove mercury switches before vehicles are flattened or crushed for recycling. Under the program, vehicle recyclers (salvage yards), scrap recycling facilities and automakers share responsibility. Your role as a vehicle recycler operator is to remove the switches and store them for recycling.

Automakers will recycle the switches and pay $5 per switch to vehicle recyclers or scrap recycling facilities to help offset removal costs. The Act became effective on August 12, 2005. The purpose of Act 649 of 2005 is to reduce the quantity of mercury in the environment by removing mercury switches from end-of-life vehicles and by creating a collection and recovery program for mercury switches removed from end-of-life vehicles in the State of Arkansas.

The End of Life Vehicle Solutions Corporation (ELVS) was created by the automotive industry to promote the industry’s environmental efforts in recycling, education and outreach, and the proper management of substances of concern. Participating Members of ELVS are BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Ford, General Motors, International Truck & Engine, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Volkswagen, and Volvo Trucks.

ELVS on behalf of the auto manufacturers sent out educational information and buckets to all vehicle recyclers and scrap recycling facilities for the collection of the mercury switches in September 2005. They are also responsible for educational materials; packaging; shipping; recycling, storage or disposal of mercury; and maintenance of all appropriate recordkeeping systems. In an effort to help educate the facilities ELVS has started a web site to assist you in finding and removing mercury switches http://www.elvsolutions.org/arkansas.htm.

Bucket Information

After the vehicle recyclers and scrap recycling facilities receive the mercury switch buckets they must put a date on the bucket label of when collection of removed mercury switches begins and comply with the following hazardous waste requirements under Regulation 23:

The generator cannot treat or dilute the waste. [APC&EC Reg. 23 § 273.11]
The waste switches must be kept in a closed container that is structurally sound, leak-free, vapor-tight, and compatible with the switches it is used to contain. This container must be kept closed and sealed except when actually adding or removing switches to or from the container.
The container used to store the waste switches must be labeled or marked clearly with any one of the following phrases: “Universal Waste,” followed by a description of the item or the items in the container – e.g., ‘‘Mercury-Containing Device(s),’’ or ‘‘Waste Mercury-Containing Device(s)". [APC&EC Reg.23 § 273.14]
The generator can accumulate the waste switches for no longer than one year from the date the waste is generated. [APC&EC Reg. 23 § 273.15(a)] The generator must be able to demonstrate the length of time that the switches have been accumulated. [APC&EC Reg. 23 § 273.15(c)]
A generator of universal waste must inform all employees who handle or manage universal waste on the proper handling and emergency procedures appropriate for the type of waste. [APC&EC Reg. 23 § 273.16]
A generator of universal waste must immediately contain all releases of universal wastes. [APC&EC Reg. 23 § 273.17(a)]
A generator of universal waste mercury-containing may only send these wastes to another universal waste handler or a regulated destination facility. [APC&EC Reg. 23 § 273.18]

After one year from the date you began collecting mercury switches, you may call to request another bucket. The recycling facility will mail you a new bucket and supply information on how to return the bucket containing mercury switches. The contact information is:

End of Life Vehicle Solutions 877.225.ELVS OR

Judie Zabrowski, Resource Management Division 734.547.2511
The Environmental Quality Company (EQ)
Email: judie.zabrowski@eqonline.com
Web: http://www.eqonline.com

Bounty

After the mercury recycling facility receives the bucket, a $5.00 bounty per switch shall be paid to the vehicle recycler or scrap recycling facility for each mercury switch processed. In addition, a $1.00 bounty per switch will go to ADEQ as partial compensation for administering the program.

Listing Of Arkansas Qualified Participants

Vehicle Recyclers (VR): At this time, approximately 200 Qualified VR
Scrap Recycling Facilities (SRF):
- Electric Arc Furnaces: Arkansas Steel Associates, Newport, AR; Macsteel Division Of Quanex, Fort Smith, AR; Nucor-Yamato Steel Company, Armorel, AR and Nucor Steel Company, Armorel , AR
- Hammer Mill: A. Tenenbaum Company Inc., North Little Rock, AR
- Shredder: Tri-State Iron and Metal Company, Texarkana, AR