Campaign to Remove Mercury Switches from Cars Bailey Mylleville NEWMOA Breaking the Mercury Cycle Conference May 1-3, 2002

Clean Car Campaign A Collaboration Between: Ecology Center Environmental Defense Great Lakes United Mercury Policy Project Michigan Environmental Council Union of Concerned Scientists American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy

The Clean Car Campaign Embodies the Principles of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Manufacturers responsibility for product life cycle impacts EPR forges the critical link between the end-of-life products and product design Responsibility of products throughout their lifecycle will reduce toxicity of products and increase recyclability

Strategic Research Mercury in Fleet 11.2 tons used in U.S. vehicles in million switches now on the road

Electric Arc Furnaces 120 U.S. facilities Up to 10 tons of mercury released each year

Mercury Auto Facts Each switch contains approximately one gram of mercury. These switches are not collected when cars are retired and end up remaining adhered to the steel, which is sent to steel reprocessing centers.

Mercury Auto Facts (cont’d) An estimated 5.3 – 6.7 metric tons of mercury were used in U.S. produced 2000 automotive models. The entire North American fleet of approximately 225 million vehicles, puts an estimated 164 to 191 metric tons of mercury on the road.

Auto Mercury Applications Convenience Lighting “Most” pre-1995 hood and truck lights Other HID Headlamps Navigational displays Backlit instruments Family entertainment systems

Mercury Auto Project Significant amounts of mercury are still being used in vehicles, largely due to the use of mercury in lighting devices and anti-lock braking systems According to a 1996 white paper by the Society of Auto Engineers, mercury switches accounted for 99% of North American uses of mercury in automobiles

Mercury Proposed Switch Collection Program Combination of In-Use and End-of-Life Collection Goal of 90% Capture Rate Phase-out and labeling of all mercury- added components

Campaign Activities National Switch-the-Switch Events Working with State Attorney Generals Mercury-Free Vehicles Partnership

Goals for Auto Mercury Project Raise public awareness about mercury use in vehicles Producer responsibility for automakers to establish mercury switch removal and collection programs Ultimate elimination of mercury use in vehicles

Resources Available Campaign Web Page: Workgroup Minutes & Survey Results Bailey Mylleville, Clean Production Coordinator Great Lakes United Phone: (716) Fax: (716) 886 –0303