Switch Out is a national program, designed by Summerhill Impact, to remove, collect and manage mercury-containing convenience lighting switches and anti-lock braking system (ABS) sensor modules in end-of-life vehicles before they are flattened, shredded and recycled into new steel.

In order to deliver the program, Summerhill Impact works directly with automotive recyclers and dismantlers to provide the necessary collection, transport and storage infrastructure, as well as training materials and educational resources. Automotive recyclers across Canada who participate in the Switch Out program are taking action to ensure that mercury from switches and ABS sensors found in end-of-life vehicles does not enter the environment.

In 2008, Summerhill Impact worked with Parachute Software to develop an on-line database to track new registrants, update monthly collection data, export monthly collection and participation summary reports for program funders and partners, and share up-to-date results with program partners.

Since beginning in 2001, the Switch Out program has collected more than 200,000 mercury-containing switches from end-of-life vehicles. This is equivalent to the recovery of approximately 170 kilograms of mercury, given that each vehicle switch contains approximately 0.85 grams of mercury.