1. The Switch Out Program A primer for participants and supporters
Thank you for joining me for this presentation about Switch Out! This slide deck was designed to introduce new staff to the program and provide an update to staff who are already familiar with Switch Out.

2. Presentation Overview
Switch Out program overview
Finding the switches
Roles and responsibilities
Questions?
Before we begin, let’s review what we’ll cover during today’s presentation.
First I’ll provide an overview of how the Switch Out program works
Next we’ll discuss which vehicles contain mercury switches, where to find them and how to remove them safely
Every business in the scrap steel supply chain has a role to play in the Switch Out program and we’ll review roles and responsibilities for each type of business
Finally we’ll discuss any questions you might have

3. Program Overview

4. About Switch Out
Switch Out is an award-winning national program dedicated to removing automotive mercury switches from end-of-life vehicles (ELVs). Switches are found in:
Convenience lighting assemblies
ABS G- force sensor modules
Switch Out is an award-winning national program dedicated to removing automotive mercury switches from end-of-life vehicles (ELVs).
Vehicles are no longer being manufactured with mercury; however some vehicle makes and models built before 2003 contain small amounts of this heavy metal. The mercury is contained in metal casings or “mercury switches” that can be found in anti-lock braking system (ABS) sensor modules and convenience lighting assemblies under the hood and trunk of the car. It is important to remove these mercury switches before a vehicle is crushed, shredded and recycled into new steel to prevent the mercury from being released into the environment.

5. How it Works
Auto recyclers and dismantlers remove mercury switches from ELVs
Switches are placed in collection containers approved for Hg shipment
Switches are shipped to a provincial storage facility and transferred to Aevitas Inc.
Switches are retorted at a US recycling facility
This graphic provides a simplified overview of how the program works.
Auto recyclers and dismantlers remove mercury switches from ELVs
Switches are placed in collection containers approved for the shipment of mercury. Before shipping the container, please ensure that the gasket sealing lid is screwed on tightly.
Switches are shipped to a provincial hazardous waste storage facility. Every other month, the containers are transferred to Aevitas Inc where the switches are weighed, counted and stored short term.
Once a year, mercury switches are sent to Bethlehem Apparatus, a mercury recycling facility in Pennsylvania. At this facility, the switches are ground down and the metal shavings are separated from the liquid mercury. Any mercury residue is evaporated off the steel shavings so that the metal can be recycled. The recovered mercury is refined and sold for use in products like compact fluorescent lightbulbs.

6. Reasons for Participating
It’s good for the environment
Each switch contains 0.85 grams of mercury
It will help you sell your scrap steel
The CSPA is enforcing the Zero Mercury scrap purchasing policy
It will help you pass your next inspection
If you belong to an automotive recycling association or work in certain provinces, regular facility inspections are required
There are many important reasons to participate in Switch Out
It’s good for the environment
Each mercury capsule contains 0.85 grams of liquid mercury. Given that it only takes one gram of mercury to
pollute an 8 hectare lake to the point that the fish are inedible for a year, it is very important to prevent mercury
from being released into the environment.
2) It will help you sell your scrap steel
Pulling mercury switches ensures that your scrap steel or vehicle hulks can be sold to the Canadian Steel Producers Association member companies. CSPA companies are enforcing the policy by:
Checking the Switch Out database to verify that their suppliers are participating
Sending enforcement letters, and
Performing audits and spot checks
3) It will help you pass your next inspection
If you belong to an auto recycling association like ARC, obtaining a passing grade on your facility audit is a condition of membership. ARC’s auditors use the Canadian Auto Recyclers’ Environmental Code (CAREC) which requires auto recyclers to remove and responsibly manage all mercury switches. Businesses that operate in certain provinces like British Columbia must also remove switches to meet provincial certification requirements.
As you can see, there are powerful environmental and economic reasons for participating in Switch Out.

7. Collection Results
Switch Out has collected a total over 500,000 mercury switches to date and managed over 450 kilograms of mercury
That’s what I weigh!
Since Switch Out began in 2001, we have collected a over half a million automotive mercury switches. That’s equivalent to over 450 kilograms of mercury, or the weight of an adult male polar bear!
Each automotive mercury switch contains 0.85 grams of mercury, so every switch counts.

8. Finding the Switches

9. Mercury Containing Vehicles
Some vehicle makes and models manufactured before 2004 contain automotive mercury switches. Switch Out has educational materials available free of charge that:
List vehicles that contain mercury switches
Show how to safely remove the switches
Some vehicle makes and models manufactured before 2004 contain automotive mercury switches. Switch Out has created a number of educational materials that:
List vehicles that contain mercury switches
Show how to safely remove the switches
These materials can be found at our facility in the following locations: ___________________________________.

10. Convenience Lighting Under the hood and trunk of the car
Convenience lighting assemblies that contain mercury switches can be found:
Under the hood and trunk of the car
In the sun visor vanity mirror
Important: Please remove the mercury switch from its casing before placing it in the Switch Out collection container
Convenience lighting assemblies that contain mercury switches can be found:
Under the hood and trunk of the car
In the sun visor vanity mirror although this is less common
To remove a convenience lighting switch:
Disconnect the battery
Locate the lighting assembly
Cut the power supply to the fixture
Remove any fasteners to separate the entire lighting assembly
Break open the lighting assembly to expose the mercury switch capsule
Remove the mercury capsule and place it in your Switch Out collection container. This is an important step that the makes the switches much easier to recycle.

11. ABS Sensors On the right front wheel apron On the drive tunnel
ABS G-force sensor modules can contain up to 3 mercury switches. These modules can be found:
On the right front wheel apron
On the drive tunnel
On the left frame rail, right below the driver
Below the rear seat on the floor pan
ABS G-force sensor modules can contain up to 3 mercury switches and 2.55 grams of mercury. Despite this fact, very few recyclers are pulling these switches. I strongly encourage you to remove these switches which can be found in one of the 4 following locations:
On the right front wheel apron
On the drive tunnel
On the left frame rail, right below the driver
Below the rear seat on the floor pan
To remove an ABS sensor:
Disconnect the battery
Locate the ABS G-force sensor in one of the 4 possible locations
Remove the entire sensor and place it in your Switch Out collection container. Unlike convenience lighting switches, you should not attempt to remove the mercury switch capsules from the sensor module.
Important: Place the whole ABS sensor in the Switch Out collection container. Do not attempt to remove the mercury switch capsules.

12. Accepted Materials Light bulbs Vials of liquid mercury
Switches from convenience lighting assemblies
ABS sensors
Not Accepted
Light bulbs
Vials of liquid mercury
Non-automotive switches (e.g. appliance switches)
Thermometers and temperature controls
Switch Out is mandated to collect automotive mercury switches and cannot accept the following items:
Light bulbs
Vials of liquid mercury
Non-automotive switches (e.g. appliance switches)
Thermometers and temperature controls
For an example of the materials that Switch Out will and will not accept, please refer to the laminated posters
pictured here. These posters can be found in the following locations at our facility : ________________________.
If you come across mercury containing products that aren’t accepted by Switch Out, please let me know. Hazardous waste management facilities like Aevitas Inc. specialize in handling these types of materials.

13. Roles and Responsibilities

14. Roles and Responsibilities
All businesses in the scrap steel supply chain have a role to play to ensure automotive mercury switches are responsibly managed.
Vehicle Recyclers and Dismantlers
Metal Processors and Aggregators
Metal Shredders and Brokers
CSPA Member Companies
All businesses in the scrap steel supply chain have a role to play in ensuring that automotive mercury switches are responsibly managed.
Vehicle Recyclers and Dismantlers participate in Switch Out by checking for switches in each ELV they process. Switch Out provides each new participant with a plastic collection container approved for the shipment of mercury, a pre-paid Purolator waybill so that the switches can be returned for recycling free of charge, and program materials that show which vehicle makes and models contain automotive mercury switches.
Metal processors and aggregators can also play a part by ensuring switches have been removed before a vehicle is crushed and pulling any switches that were missed. Mercury switches are difficult and dangerous to remove after the crush takes place.
Metal shredders and brokers can support the Switch Out program by checking to see that their suppliers are regularly participating in the program. We ask all recyclers and dismantlers to participate by returning switches at least twice per year.
Finally, the Canadian Steel Producers Association (CSPA) member companies have enacted the “Zero Mercury” scrap purchasing policy. This policy requires all scrap suppliers to demonstrate that they have programs in place to remove sources of mercury from the scrap they sell to CSPA member companies. Enforcement of this policy has begun and steel producers have:
Conducted scrap load audits
Sent enforcement letters to suppliers, and
Logged on to the Switch Out database to verify program participation

15. Vehicle Recyclers and Dismantlers
Use free educational resources from Switch Out to ensure you are collecting all possible mercury switches (convenience lighting and ABS)
Send in your switches at least twice each year during the April and October collection sweeps. During these months, send in any switches you have on site – even just one!
Spread the word about Switch Out to other recyclers
Here are steps that vehicle recyclers and dismantlers can take to ensure they are fully participating and preventing mercury pollution.

16. Vehicle Aggregators/Crushers/Shredders
If vehicle processing occurs on site, ensure you are collecting all possible mercury switches
If you only purchase pre-processed vehicles, contact Switch Out to ensure you’re purchasing from participating suppliers and consider rejecting scrap loads that aren’t proven mercury-free
Outreach to your suppliers and encourage others to join Switch Out.
And here are the slightly different steps that other businesses in the scrap steel supply chain should take.

17. It’s a Team Effort!
At most facilities, more than one staff member is responsible for participating in Switch Out
Please take the time to nominate 3 individuals who will share this responsibility where you work:
1) [ volunteer ]
2) [ volunteer ]
3) [ volunteer ]
Participating in Switch Out is a team effort. Please take a moment to nominate three individuals that will share the responsibility of participating in Switch Out at your workplace.

18. Please feel free to contact:
Questions?
If you have any questions about participating in Switch Out, please let me know. You can also contact the Switch Out program manager directly.
Please feel free to contact:
Caroline Sturk
(416) x 286