Minnesota’s Former Automotive Mercury Switch Recovery Program

From mid-2004, automakers sponsored the “Minnesota Mercury Recovery” program for automotive mercury switches. This program, operated by Minnesota Waste Wise (MWW), provided salvage yards and scrap processors with free collection/shipping containers, transportation, and recycling for automotive mercury convenience lighting switch pellets and assemblies.

A national program for recovering mercury switches from scrap cars and light trucks before they are shredded for recycling is under development. The parties, including ELVS, are now working to complete a formal agreement.

In recognition of the pending national agreement and the need for consistency among programs, ELVS took over the management of the Minnesota Mercury Recovery Program.  The program will operate in the same manner. 

The Minnesota Mercury Recovery program built on nearly a decade of education and outreach to salvage yards through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, trade associations, and steel endmarkets.  The program was very successful, with high participation from salvage yards and scrap processors throughout the state.