Friday, June 15, 2001

Pollution Probe to Launch Project to Remove Toxic Mercury From End-of-Life Cars

Ontario Environment Minister Elizabeth Witmer will join Pollution Probe and other project partners in the launch of Canada’s first mercury switch recycling initiative on Monday, June 18, 2001 at the Don Valley Brick Works, Bayview Avenue, Toronto (see attached agenda).

Pollution Probe has set up a pilot project with auto recyclers to remove and recycle mercury-containing switches from end-of-life cars in Ontario.  Mercury switches are used in many vehicle models to control the hood and trunk lights.  The switches will be collected and recycled before the cars are crushed and sent to electric arc furnaces, thus preventing the release of mercury into the environment.

Project partners include Environment Canada, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, and Ontario Power Generation.

When:           MONDAY, JUNE 18             8:50 am – 9:45 am

Photo opportunity #1 (8:50 am) project partners assemble in front of flatbed truck loaded with crushed cars.

Photo opportunity #2 (9:40 am) brief demonstration of how the mercury-containing switches are removed from cars and collected in safe containers.

Location:       Don Valley Brick Works

                    Bayview Avenue, Toronto

(First building on the west side on Bayview Avenue, north of Bayview/Bloor Don Valley Parkway exit, near Pottery Road turn-off in the Don Valley)

For more information:

Elizabeth Everhardus, Pollution Probe    (416) 926-1907 X239

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Pollution Probe’s Mercury Elimination and Reduction Challenge (MERC) Switch-Out Launch

Agenda

Monday, June 18, 2001

8:45 am – 9:45 am

Don Valley Brick Works, Bayview Avenue

Toronto, ON

8:50    am                PHOTO OPPORTUNITY with sponsoring         partners

9:00 am                  Opening Remarks, Ken Ogilvie 

9:04 am                  Ontario Auto Recycling Association, Trevor Pettit

9:09 am                  Ontario Power Generation, Angelo Castellan

9:14 am                  Environment Canada, Dr. Carolyn Bennett, MP

9:19 am                  Honourable Elizabeth Witmer, Minister of the Environment                 

9:25                       Question Period, Ken Ogilvie (moderator)

9:40 am                  Concluding Remarks, Ken Ogilvie              

9:40 am                  PHOTO OPPORTUNITY Brief demonstration of how the mercury-containing switches are removed from cars