NVMSRP

The National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program (NVMSRP) is the result of a two-year
collaborative effort involving EPA, vehicle manufacturers, the American Iron and Steel Institute, the
Steel Manufacturers Association, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, the Automotive
Recyclers Association, Environmental Defense, the Ecology Center (Ann Arbor), and
representatives of the Environmental Council of the States. EPA and these stakeholders announced
a voluntary program to recover mercury switches from scrap cars and trucks before they are
shredded for recycling. An event was held in Chicago on August 11, 2006 to mark the signing of the
agreement which establishes the voluntary program.

 
ELVS will carry out the program responsibilities for the vehicle manufacturers.

 
One of the NVMSRP goals is to maximize switch collection nationally. A $4 million fund was
established that was used to reward dismantlers/recyclers in the participating states on a first-come,
first-serve basis over a 3-year period for their efforts. This incentive fund ended in 2009.

 
The original NVMSRP agreement expired in 2017 but the American Iron and Steel Institute and the
Steel Manufacturers Association joined ELVS in establishing a new agreement that expired in 2021.
In August of 2021, the Steel Manufacturers Association and ELVS agreed to extend the program
through July 1, 2017. The program remains intact with no changes to the handling of mercury
switches for recyclers. I

 
More information about the National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program and additional
mercury reduction efforts: http://archive.epa.gov/mercury/archive/web/html/index-4.html.