1. 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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

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