1. Extended Producer Responsibility for
Automobiles
in North America
2/23/2019
Ecology Center

2. Automobile Impacts Multiple Impacts Across Auto Lifecycle
Materials production and manufacturing
Fuel processing emissions
Metals, plastics, painting and coating
Tailpipe emissions from fuel combustion
Climate change- 33% of all sources
Urban air pollution
End-of-Life vehicle impacts
Metals recycling processes, Auto “fluff”
Auto salvage yards
2/23/2019
Ecology Center

3. Auto Production Materials Production and Waste Generation
Largest manufacturing industry, and also biggest polluter
Major consumer of metals, glass, rubber, and plastics
60-70% of U.S. lead, iron and rubber use
End-of-life recycling and disposal processes
Emissions of mercury, lead, dioxins, PAH’s, and other contaminants from material recovery
Only 75% recycled
2/23/2019
Ecology Center

4. Releases from Production
Materials Production and Waste Generation
Major consumer of steel, aluminum, rubber, plastics and other metals
60-70% of nation’s lead and rubber use
Releases from all production processes?
One estimate: 30,000 lbs. waste/emissions per vehicle (10/1 waste to product)
End-of-life recycling and disposal processes
Emissions of mercury, lead, dioxins, PAH’s, and other contaminants from material recovery
% not recycled, by weight (~700 lbs.)
2/23/2019
Ecology Center

5. Clean Production Material Phase-Outs Clean Manufacturing
Mercury, lead, PVC, other PBT’s
Clean Manufacturing
Water and powder-based coating systems
Recyclability and Recycled Content
Targets for high level of material recovery
Product “Take-Back” or EPR
Material Collection and Recycling
2/23/2019
Ecology Center

6. EU’s ELV Directive End-of-Life Vehicle Directive of 2000
Phase-Out of Materials of Concern
Mercury, lead, cadmium and hex chrome
PVC, under review
Recyclability Targets
85% recycled or recovered by 2006
95% by 2015
End-of-Life Management Req’s
Facility registration
Removal of hazardous and recyclable materials before shredding
2/23/2019
Ecology Center

7. Mercury Products legis.
Vermont labeling law
Northeast states (NEWMOA) model legislation included manufacturer responsibility req’s
Automobiles implicated as significant source, due to use of mercury-containing switches
2/23/2019
Ecology Center

8. Auto Mercury Applications
Convenience Lighting
“Most” pre-1995 hood and truck lights
Anti-lock Brake Systems(ABS)
Other
HID Headlamps
Navigational displays
Backlit instruments
Family entertainment systems
2/23/2019
Ecology Center

9. Strategic Research Mercury in Fleet 11.2 tons used in 1996
million switches now on the road
2/23/2019
Ecology Center

10. Electric Arc Furnaces 120 U.S. facilities
37% of domestic scrap from the auto sector
Recent stack testing for mercury
2/23/2019
Ecology Center

11. Phase-out
Hg switches finally phased out in new vehicles at end of 2002
150 tons of mercury still on the road the problem now
2/23/2019
Ecology Center

12. Switches in US Fleet
2/23/2019
Ecology Center

13. Switch Retirement
2/23/2019
Ecology Center

14. Mercury in Vehicles
2/23/2019
Ecology Center

15. Mercury Switch Recovery
Goal of 90% Capture Rate
Both In-Use and End-of-Life Collection
Dealers, service stations, etc.
Auto dismantling facilities
Manufacturer responsibility
Financial incentives for dismantlers
Responsibility for infrastructure gaps
2/23/2019
Ecology Center

16. Partnership for Mercury-Free Vehicles
Coalition between environmental groups, auto dismantlers, and steel recycling industries
Developed Action Plan and Model legislation based on EPR approach
Maine, first state to pass “manufacturer responsibility” legislation
2/23/2019
Ecology Center

17. Maine legislation
Auto recyclers required to remove mercury switches and mercury headlamps prior to being crushed
By January 1, 2003, automobile manufacturers must:
establish consolidation centers for mercury switch collection,
pay a minimum $1 bounty for each switch turned in,
pay for transport and recycling of switches collected
help identify makes & models containing mercury switches
Mercury switches prohibited from new cars
A goal of 90 pounds of mercury removal per year is established to guide program evaluation.
Detailed reporting required to track program success
2/23/2019
Ecology Center

18. Maine implementation Law being implemented as of Jan. 2003
3rd party contractor for participating companies
Automakers challenged law in federal court, claiming conflicts with interstate commerce.
“Maine’s law effectively forces out-of-state companies to enter the recycling business against their will and, in effect, subsidizes the balance sheets of Maine’s recyclers and disposal companies who are relieved of the burden of having to handle these waste substances.”
Jo Cooper, Alliance of Automobile Mcfc’s
2/23/2019
Ecology Center

19. Other Legislation
Several other states have legislation pending, following Maine’s lead
NE states, NJ, and Calif.
Michigan exploring a negotiated program
2/23/2019
Ecology Center

20. Issues Retroactive responsibility Performance standard for recovery
Financial incentives, or “bounty”
Alt’s to manufacturer responsibility
Fees on products; state-run program?
“Shared” responsibility?
Promoting green design
EPR for other materials, “whole car”?
2/23/2019
Ecology Center

21. Resources www.cleancarcampaign.org Clean Car Campaign: 2/23/2019
Ecology Center