ARKANSAS MERCURY ARKANSAS MERCURY SWITCH REMOVAL PROGRAMSWITCH REMOVAL PROGRAM

Arkansas Dept. of Environmental Arkansas Dept. of Environmental QualityQuality

Solid Waste Management Division Solid Waste Management Division

January 26, 2006January 26, 2006

CONTENTS OF CONTENTS OF PRESENTATIONPRESENTATION

Mercury Switch Removal Act Timeline Mercury Switch Removal Act Timeline

Arkansas is a Financial Incentive State Arkansas is a Financial Incentive State Arkansas Qualified Vehicle Recycling and Arkansas Qualified Vehicle Recycling and

Scrap Recycling FacilitiesScrap Recycling Facilities

Arkansas Fish AdvisoryArkansas Fish Advisory

Issues of ConcernIssues of Concern

Arkansas Mercury Switch Act Arkansas Mercury Switch Act TimelineTimeline

The Arkansas General Assembly passed Act The Arkansas General Assembly passed Act 649 better known as the “Mercury Switch 649 better known as the “Mercury Switch Removal Act of 2005”. Removal Act of 2005”.

The Act was effective on August 12, 2005.The Act was effective on August 12, 2005. By September 10, 2005, manufacturers must By September 10, 2005, manufacturers must

provide vehicle recyclers (VR) and scrap provide vehicle recyclers (VR) and scrap recyclers facilities (SRF) with containers recyclers facilities (SRF) with containers suitable for storing mercury switches.suitable for storing mercury switches.– On Sept. 7, 2005, 80 Bucket were sent out.On Sept. 7, 2005, 80 Bucket were sent out.– January 25, 2006, the State updated the January 25, 2006, the State updated the

manufacturers VR list and requested another mail manufacturers VR list and requested another mail out to approximately 125 VRout to approximately 125 VR..

Timeline Continued… Timeline Continued…

By November 9, 2005, manufacturers of motor By November 9, 2005, manufacturers of motor vehicles sold in the state of Arkansas must submit vehicles sold in the state of Arkansas must submit a Mercury Minimization Plan.a Mercury Minimization Plan. – On November 8, 2005, The plan was submitted by ELVIS on On November 8, 2005, The plan was submitted by ELVIS on

behave of the auto manufactures.behave of the auto manufactures. February 28, 2006, a draft state regulation will be February 28, 2006, a draft state regulation will be

presented to the Arkansas Pollution Control and presented to the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology CommissionEcology Commission..

On or before March 8, 2006, the director shall On or before March 8, 2006, the director shall approve, disapprove or conditionally approve the approve, disapprove or conditionally approve the Mercury Minimization Plan.Mercury Minimization Plan.

Arkansas is a Arkansas is a Financial Financial

Incentive StateIncentive State

The costs listed below shall be borne by the manufacturers of The costs listed below shall be borne by the manufacturers of vehicles sold in the state, vehicles sold in the state,

– Five dollars Five dollars ($5.00($5.00) for each mercury switch removed by a ) for each mercury switch removed by a vehicle recycler (VR) or scrap recycling facility (SRF); andvehicle recycler (VR) or scrap recycling facility (SRF); and

– One dollar One dollar ($1.00)($1.00) for each mercury switch removed by a for each mercury switch removed by a VR or SRF as partial compensation to the Department.VR or SRF as partial compensation to the Department.

The manufacturer is also responsible for: educational The manufacturer is also responsible for: educational materials; packaging; shipping; recycling, storage or disposal materials; packaging; shipping; recycling, storage or disposal of mercury; and maintenance of all appropriate record-of mercury; and maintenance of all appropriate record-keeping systems. keeping systems. 

End of Life Vehicle End of Life Vehicle Total Number of RecyclersTotal Number of Recyclers

Vehicle Recyclers (VR): Vehicle Recyclers (VR): – At this time, approximately 200 Qualified VR At this time, approximately 200 Qualified VR

Qualified = VR that crush > 6 per yearQualified = VR that crush > 6 per year

Scrap Recycling Facilities (SRF):Scrap Recycling Facilities (SRF):– Nucor-Yamato Steel Company, Armorel (EAF)Nucor-Yamato Steel Company, Armorel (EAF)– Nucor Steel Company, Armorel (EAF)Nucor Steel Company, Armorel (EAF)– A.Tenenbaum Company Inc., North Little Rock A.Tenenbaum Company Inc., North Little Rock

(Shredder)(Shredder)

Dept. of Health & Human ServicesDept. of Health & Human Services

Mercury Fish Advisory ReportsMercury Fish Advisory Reports

1997 - 18 areas 1997 - 18 areas

1999 – 20 areas 1999 – 20 areas

2006 – Pending2006 – Pending

Information obtained from:

Issues of Issues of ConcernConcern

Information sent to vehicle recyclers (VR) was Information sent to vehicle recyclers (VR) was incomplete and not sent to all qualified facilities.incomplete and not sent to all qualified facilities.

Inspections of sites not required by Act. Inspections of sites not required by Act. Mercury Switch BucketMercury Switch Bucket

– Should assemblies or bullets be placed in the bucketShould assemblies or bullets be placed in the bucket– When and where to send the bucketWhen and where to send the bucket– Should there be an annual recycling due date (12-31)Should there be an annual recycling due date (12-31)

How to handle vehicle recyclers that do not How to handle vehicle recyclers that do not qualify for the program. qualify for the program.

Chrissy Heider, Mgmt. Project Chrissy Heider, Mgmt. Project Analyst IIAnalyst II

heider@adeq.state.ar.usheider@adeq.state.ar.us

(501) 682-0592(501) 682-0592

Susan Speake, Program Branch Susan Speake, Program Branch ManagerManager

speake@adeq.state.ar.usspeake@adeq.state.ar.us

(501) 682-0589(501) 682-0589

ADEQ Web Site: ADEQ Web Site: www.adeq.state.ar.uswww.adeq.state.ar.us

Contacts: