Mittal Steel USA Joins Nationwide Mercury-Reduction Effort
06/05/07
CHICAGO — Mittal Steel USA has joined the effort to reduce mercury emissions by participating in the National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program.
Mercury switches are found in vehicles manufactured prior to 2003. These switches were used for convenience lighting in hoods and trunks, along with some anti-lock brake systems. Mercury is a highly toxic element to the environment, which can be detrimental to the auto-scrap recycling infrastructure if not removed.
Mittal Steel and other manufacturers are working to have these switches removed before entering the recycling stream.
"Mittal Steel is committed to building a sustainable environment for future generations, and this program is a natural fit for us," said Michael G. Rippey, president and chief executive officer of Mittal Steel USA.
"It will significantly reduce mercury in steel scrap, which is a feedstock for steelmaking, bringing benefits to the environment. We are committed to working with our partners and with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reach the mercury-reduction goals that are laid out in this agreement."
The program, which will complement existing state efforts to reduce the use of mercury switches, is expected to reduce up to 75 tons of mercury emissions over the next 15 years.
Mittal and other participating steelmakers will work to educate and encourage their suppliers to participate in the program, and will take steps to buy scrap metal generated from participating dismantlers and recyclers that have removed the mercury-containing switches.
This program is the result of a two-year collaborative effort involving the American Iron and Steel Institute, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the Automotive Recyclers Association, the Ecology Center (Ann Arbor, Mich.), End of Life Vehicle Solutions Inc., the Environmental Council of the States, Environmental Defense, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, the Steel Manufacturers Association and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.