The Mercury Switch-Out Program

This program's goal is to reduce mercury emissions to the atmosphere that occur when scrapped motor vehicles are recycled. If your vehicle has mercury-containing trunk and hood lid lighting switches, you can have them replaced with non-mercury switches for free through this program. Mercury light switches are common in US made passenger cars and pickups. As a general rule, you should assume there is a mercury switch in the hood or trunk convenience lights on:

• Model year 2002 or older GM vehicles
• Model year 2001 or older Ford vehicles
• Model year 1998 or older Chrysler vehicles

Mercury-containing switches can be quickly, easily replaced with a non-mercury ball bearing switch. Simply take your vehicle to one of the nearly 100 participating Northwest Automotive Trades Association-member auto repair and collision shops around Oregon. The whole process takes only a few minutes. The removed mercury switches are disposed of in special receptacles at an appropriate recycling facility. A list of participating shops can be found through the NATA Web site or by calling toll-free 1-800-730-7282. The Web site also has a list of cars that have mercury-containing switches.

• Northwest Automotive Trades Association Web site

Shops participating in the Mercury Switch-Out Program have information about the impact mercury has on the environment. Program organizers hope results from the program will encourage the US auto industry to manufacture new cars without mercury-containing switches.

Major organizers of the program are the Northwest Automotive Trades Association, the Oregon Environmental Council and Oregon/Idaho AAA.

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