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ECAR
Fact Sheet for Nebraska
Regulations BACK to VIRTUAL TOUR The following fact sheet was prepared by the ECAR Center staff. Once prepared, each ECAR Center fact sheet undergoes a review process with the applicable state environmental agency(ies). You can check on the status of the review process here. Please read the disclaimer on the status page. While we have tried to present a summary of the essential information on this topic, you should be aware that other items, such as local regulations, may apply to you. What You Need to Know
Mercury, a silver-colored liquid metal, is extremely toxic to the nervous system and may impair the way we see, hear, walk and talk. When spilled, mercury can evaporate at room temperature and the vapors cannot be seen, smelled or tasted. In the environment, mercury can be converted into a form that is especially toxic and can build up in fish tissue. Because of its potential to pose long-lasting health and environmental risks, mercury has become a high-profile toxic waste. Some cars may contain no mercury components, while others may contain several. Removal of mercury switches from vehicles before crushing is an important part of managing your hazardous wastes. However, since mercury switches and lamps are very common items, and because they can be handled as self-contained units, they have been given a special designation, called "universal wastes. " By properly recycling your mercury switches, you can get something of a break from the otherwise very demanding rules that apply to most hazardous wastes. This fact sheet will give you a list of components to watch out for, as well as specific instructions on what to do with them. In Nebraska, hazardous waste regulations govern the storage and regulation of mercury-containing devices. Only mercury-containing thermostats and spent lamps are exempt from hazardous waste requirements. There are various sources of mercury in automobiles, including:
Mercury switches should be removed and recycled prior to storage, disposal or crushing of the vehicle. Unusable parts that are removed from vehicles and contain mercury cannot be disposed of in landfills or incinerated. They must be managed as hazardous waste. (See the ECAR Hazardous Waste Fact Sheet.) The hazardous waste rules cover storage, transportation, recordkeeping, and reporting. Depending on how much hazardous waste you generate, you may need to obtain an EPA hazardous waste number. For a complete review of these requirements see the RCRA Hazardous Waste Plain Language Guide. Links to the Regulations. Use the following links to view the regulations pertaining to mercury. Nebraska's Hazardous Waste Management Requirements Federal EPA Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste When an inspector comes to your facility, there are certain things he or she checks to see if you are in compliance with environmental regulations. It makes good sense for you to perform a "self-audit" and catch and correct problems before they result in penalties. Also, there are some compliance incentives associated with self-audits (see Audit Policy Page). Use the following list to audit your mercury management program.
Best Management Practices (BMPs) Most regulations tell you what you have to do to be in compliance, but they don't explain how to do it. That's where "best management practices" come into play. BMPs are proven methods that help you to get into compliance and stay there. The following BMPs are recommended for management and disposal of vehicle parts containing mercury:
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