Implementing HB 2793 Main Page A voluntary mercury convenience-switch collection program. Main Page Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Small Business and Environmental Assistance Division Pollution Prevention and Industry Assistance Section

Important Stakeholders Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers Texas Automotive Recyclers Association Steel recyclers TCEQ

HB 2793: A brief summary… Calls for the voluntary removal of mercury convenience switches from salvage vehicles Requires auto manufacturers to provide: A description of convenience switches Location of convenience switches on each vehicle Safe methods for removing switches Methods for storing and recycling mercury switches A collection container

HB 2793: A brief history… Filed March 10, 2005 by Rep. Dennis Bonnen Approved by both House and Senate on May 29, 2005 Took effect August 29, 2005 First containers mailed by October 28, 2005

HB 2793: TCEQ mandates Provide regulatory incentives Provide technical assistance workshops for participating facilities Submit annual reports beginning 11/2006: Document recovery rates for participating facilities Provide recommendations on strategies for improving recovery rates Adopt new Universal Waste Rules

HB 2793: Auto Manufacturers Participation in the program is mandatory if vehicles include mercury switches in last 10 years Auto Manufacturers provide buckets and information resources Auto Manufacturers responsible for: Costs of returning full buckets Costs of processing mercury switches

HB 2793: Participating facilities Participation in the program is voluntary Participating facilities can receive regulatory incentives Facilities must submit annual reports beginning November 2006 that contain: Number of convenience switches collected during last 12 months Total number of vehicles processed

Identifying facilities… Initial list of facilities TCEQ Stormwater Permittees Trade association members Future lists of facilities Texas Dept. of Transportation Permittees Estimated Total Universe of over 5,000 facilities

Current Status Auto manufacturers mailed first group of buckets to facilities October 28 450 facilities in initial mailing Second group scheduled to be delivered beginning January 13 Approximately 225 facilities in second mailing Identifying opportunities to recruit additional facilities New Universal Waste Rule by Summer 2006

TCEQ Contacts Brian Christian James Voelker bchristi@tceq.state.tx.us jvoelker@tceq.state.tx.us 512.239.3182