Your Source for Up-To-Date News and Research on the Collision Repair Industry 

 

click here to subscribe to the FREE INSIGHT Editor's Desk News Alert Email

SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY
Today's News
INSIGHT This Month
INSIGHT Archives
Survey Center
Letter to the Editor

Business Tools
Subscription Information
CSI Reporting
Financial Analysis
IRS Audit Guide

Management/
Technical Info
1999 Market Watch Rates
INSIGHT Inside this month's issue...

Feedback
Letter to the Editor

Automotive Recyclers Association Challenges Manufacturers to Take Responsibility for Vehicle Mercury They Produce

FAIRFAX, Va. -- The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA), concerned about the disposal process of automobile parts containing mercury, has suggested that the final responsibility for collecting and disposing of the mercury switches should logically fall more on vehicle manufacturers. Additional groups, including the Environmental Defense, Great Lakes United and the Ecology Center have taken a similar stance.

The environmental groups reference a report that has brought this issue into the spotlight: Toxics in Vehicles: Mercury and Toxic by Design, which indicates that potentially 15.6 metric tons of mercury are released when cars are scrapped in an average year.

ARA supports the reports' recommendations that mercury use in switches and other components be eliminated immediately; that vehicle manufacturers take responsibility for removal and safe collection of mercury from existing fleets; that makers label vehicles that have parts containing mercury; and automakers notify automotive recyclers which models contain mercury.

"This is an issue that has been created by the manufacturers, as they have chosen to put mercury in their vehicles. To our knowledge, automakers have yet to disclose their historical uses of mercury as well as specific models that contain mercury. Our members simply cannot assume the significant responsibility for disposing of these toxic substances," said ARA Executive Vice President Bill Steinkuller.

ARA specifically supports automobile manufacturers accepting responsibility for mercury incorporated into their vehicles. A spokesperson for automobile manufacturers recently stated that, "It's easier to take out the mercury switches at the end of the car's life." ARA would contend that the easier solution would be to use an alternate substance in the vehicles, and not install mercury in the first place. Several manufacturers, including BMW, Toyota and Volvo realized this fact years ago and have since avoided the use of mercury in their components and designs since 1993.

©2000 Collision Repair Industry INSIGHT
All Rights Reserved

FEATURED
LINKS:

INSIGHT Supports the NABC!
Do You?