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Motor Vehicle Recycling
Introduction
Maine law requires motor vehicle dismantling businesses to take certain actions to prevent contamination of Maine’s land, water and air. This includes proper handling of waste such as mercury switches and mercury-added lamps, waste fluids, air-conditioning refrigerants, batteries and tires, and implementation of a stormwater control plan.
Maine’s “Junkyards and Automobile Graveyards” law requires junkyards, automobile graveyards and auto recyclers to remove automotive fluids, refrigerants, batteries, mercury switches and mercury headlamps from non-operating vehicles within 180 days of receipt and before crushing or shredding of the vehicle. Yards that have more than 1320 gallons of oils, including gasoline, diesel, heating and waste oil, stored on site also must have a “Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures” (SPCC) plan.
Federal law requires businesses that buy auto scrap to have documentation from their suppliers that all fluids, mercury switches and lead-acid batteries have been removed from the vehicles. Also, all junkyards, automobile graveyards and auto recyclers must be licensed by their local municipality.
Contacts
Mercury Switch Removal Program
Enid J. Mitnik Automobile Mercury Switch Removal Program
(207) 287-8556 or 287-2651 Enid.Mitnik@maine.gov
Small Business Assistance Program
Roy Krout 1-800-789-9802
(207) 287-8550 or 287-2651 Roy.T.Krout@maine.gov
Stormwater Multi-sector General Permit Program
Aaron Dumont
215-7346 or 287-2651 Aaron.Dumont@maine.gov
Laws
Laws covering junkyards, automobile graveyards and automobile recycling businesses
Mercury switch removal requirement
Mercury Switch Removal and Recycling Program Information
Mercury Switch Recycling Contractor: End of Life Vehicle Solutions (Off Site) for Maine specific information and Maine Log Forms (See Maine Switch Removal Forms at the bottom of the page:)
Need A Replacement Bucket? Please send an email to: elvsbuckets@eqonline.com (Off Site)
Forms
Certification of removal of fluids, batteries and mercury switches (pdf format)
Guidelines
Updated June 20, 2008 - Auto Dismantlers Guide to Recycling Mercury Switches and Mercury Lamps (pdf format) If you would like to have a copy of this guide or Appendix A, please call Enid Mitnik @(207) 287-8556.
Model Auto Salvage Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. Model Auto SWPPP (pdf file)
Other Related Links
BMV Dealer Section - (207) 624-9000 ext. 52143 - (Off-Site)
Oil Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures
Safety Requirements for Above Ground Storage Tanks for Combustible Liquids (Off-Site)
