Automotive
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assistant administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation Joseph Goffman joined industry stakeholders in renewing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program (NVMSRP) to reduce mercury air emissions.
The MOU was also signed by the Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA), the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), the End of Life Vehicle Solutions Corporation (ELVSC), the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA), and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI). This action extends this MOU for the second time until July 1, 2027.
The NVMSRP MOU is a collaboration to reduce mercury air emissions, which was initially designed by EPA’s Sectors program and its partners in 2006. The program removes mercury from the stream of steel scrap originating from the retirement of cars and trucks, which is then consumed by domestic Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) and integrated steelmakers. To date, the program has prevented the release of more than 8.2 tons of mercury into the atmosphere. Involving more than 10,000 recyclers, the NVMSRP has already removed and safely recycled more than 7.4 million automotive mercury switches.
Philip K. Bell, SMA president: “We are pleased to have reached this extension. The ELVS program demonstrates how industry cooperation and leadership can lead to good environmental results. Over 7 million mercury switches, containing a total of over 8.2 tons of mercury have been recycled preventing it from being released into the environment. The SMA is proud to be a partner and leader in this effort.”