U. S. Steel Marks First Year of Mercury Switch Recovery Program
08/30/2007 - U. S. Steel marks the one-year anniversary of its participation in the National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program, a national mercury reduction program that is expected to reduce up to 75 tons of mercury emissions over the next 15 years.
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The national mercury switch recovery program is supported by automakers, dismantlers, steelmakers and scrap recyclers, as well as a number of industry groups.
Automakers provide information regarding switch removal and take responsibility for collection, transportation, and recycling of the switches.
Auto dismantlers and others recover switches and submit them to the program for proper management.
Steelmakers and those who produce steel scrap for steelmaking educate and encourage their suppliers to participate in the program, and will take steps to buy scrap metal generated from participating dismantlers and recyclers that have removed the mercury-containing switches.
Automakers and steelmakers also support the program through a fund that supports implementation of the program and incentives for participation to those removing switches.
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Mercury light switches have historically been used in autos for convenience lights under the hood or in the trunk, and in anti-lock braking systems. Although automakers have phased out the use of mercury switches in new vehicles, mercury can be released into the environment when older retired vehicles are recycled.
The NVMSRP was developed to prevent mercury pollution by removing mercury switches from automobiles and trucks before the vehicles are shredded and recycled into new steel.
U. S. Steel supports the program as a member of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Other parties to the agreement include the AISI, the Steel Manufacturers Association, auto manufacturers, vehicle dismantlers and shredders, environmental organizations and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
U. S. Steel has been part of the program since it was launched on Aug. 11, 2006. The company began implementing its plan for participation in the NVMSRP in March 2007 and has asked all of its shredded scrap suppliers to register with End of Life Vehicle Services and to develop their own compliance programs. Supplier audits to ensure compliance are currently underway.
Other steel manufacturers participating in the program include Mittal Steel USA, Republic Engineered Products, and Timken.
The National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program is the result of a two-year collaborative effort involving the American Iron and Steel Institute, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the Automotive Recyclers Association, the Ecology Center (Ann Arbor, Mich.), End of Life Vehicle Solutions Inc., the Environmental Council of the States, Environmental Defense, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, the Steel Manufacturers Association and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as well as automobile manufacturers and members of the vehicle scrap recycling industry.
