How to Remove, Store and Transport a Mercury Switch


Mercury switches must be removed before the vehicle is crushed or shredded. Removal of the lighting apparatus takes only a few seconds, and can be done at the same time as the removal of other fluids and wastes.

Step 1: Removal of Convenience Lighting Assembly from Vehicle
· Locate the small lighting fixture on the inner side of the vehicle trunk or hood
· Cut the power supply attached to the base of the light fixture
· Remove any fasteners in order to separate the entire fixture from the vehicle.
· Place entire fixture in a large bin of heavy plastic with a lid, for temporary storage.
· Repeat this process for all mercury containing lighting fixture in the vehicle. When in doubt, assume that a fixture contains a mercury switch.
Entire process: Approximately 30 second procedure.

top

Step 2: Breakdown Assemblies to Recover Switch
As required, break down collected lighting assemblies to remove mercury switches, and

place switches in small plastic container (supplied) for transportation. Each supplied container will hold 800-1000 mercury switches.
· Identify and remove/open the snap, latch, clip, etc. that holds the assembly together, using hand tools. Small, flathead screwdrivers and small wire cutters are all that are often required. When the assembly is open identify the mercury switch, a small, metal device that resembles a bullet.
· Remove the mercury switch. A small, flat-head screwdriver may be used for this purpose.
· Place the mercury bullet into the proper storage container prior to disposing of any excess metal or plastic parts - the lighting fixtures can be disposed of with regular waste.
Recycling of 1500 vehicles / year will require approximately 3 hours of labour per year to remove switches from housings.

top

Step 3: Storage of Mercury Switches
Mercury switches and lighting fixtures should be collected in well-sealed, leakproof, heavy plastic containers in an area where there is little risk of fire or breakage. Do not use tin or aluminum containers as mercury can combine with these metals and also leak through any seams. Do not store the mercury on the bare ground, and do not dispose of the bullets with the regular waste.

Storage of used mercury switches should comply with all provincial and national laws governing hazardous wastes. If more than 5kg of mercury switches are accumulated (3g/switch), Ontario regulations (Regulation 347) permit storage for up to 90 days without requiring a Storage Permit through the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. If storing less than 5kg, a Storage Permit is not required.

top

Step 4: Transportation of Mercury Switches
The generation, transportation and disposal of mercury containing waste in Ontario is governed by Part V (Waste Management) of the Ontario Environmental Protection Act (EPA), as well as Regulation 347 (General - Waste Management Regulation) under the EPA. Mercury is listed
as a "Hazardous Waste Chemical", under Schedule 2, Part B and must be handled with regards to the regulation for safety reasons. Transportation of the material is subject to the following general requirements:

· Mercury waste generators must submit a "Generator Registration Report" to the Regional Director of the Ontario Ministry of Environment. The generator must have a generator registration document and a waste number before transferring the waste to a transportation system. Generators are required to notify the Director if the waste mercury is retained at the generating site for more than three months unless the site has a Certificate of Approval. (Reg.347, Section 18).

· Generators of mercury must use hazardous waste haulers approved under Part V of the Act, and that operate under a Certificate of Approval issued by the Ministry of Environment. A manifest, indicating the origin and destination of the mercury, must accompany the shipment. (Reg.347.19.1.(a))

· The onus is on both the originator and transporter of the material to ensure that the mercury is transported to a registered hazardous waste landfill site or a mercury recycler/refiner operating under a Certificate of Approval.

Regulatory Exception #1: If a site does not accumulate more than 5kg of mercury switches (3g/switch) in a one-month period, or accumulate more than 5kg over any period, the site qualifies as a "small quantities generator" under Regulation 347 and is exempt from registration as a generator. As a small quantities generator manifesting is not required.

Regulatory Exception #2: Registration as a generator is not required provided the waste hauler has as part of the conditions of their Certificate of Approval an exemption that would override this requirement. Fluorescent Lamp Recyclers Inc., the waste hauler chosen for the Switch Out, has such an exemption. All facilities involved in the Switch Out programme should fall under this exemption. Wastes must still be manifested for shipment.

It is the responsibility of the individual facility to ensure that they are operating within Provincial regulations.

top