Mercury

Mercury containing products should be disposed of properly.  Small amounts of Mercury can do significant damages.  Both short term and long term exposure can cause serious health effects to humans and wildlife.  The Recycling Center offers free mercury collection from homes, schools, farms and businesses.  Households may exchange old thermometers for digital thermometers, there is a limit of one per household while supplies last.  When transporting mercury, please cushion the item and place it in a sealed  container.

• Thermometers
• Thermostats
• Mercury switches
• Barometers
• Manometers
• Blood pressure monitors
• Dental amalgams
• Bulk mercury

Problems with Mercury

Very small amounts of mercury can do significant damage. One gram of mercury is enough to contaminate all the fish in a lake with a surface area of 20 acres. A typical mercury thermometer contains approximately 0.7 grams of mercury (700 milligrams), but larger thermometers can contain as much as three grams. Both short term and long term exposure to mercury can cause serious health problems for humans and wildlife. Mercury affects the nervous system and can impair the way we hear, talk, see, walk, feel and think. Humans are exposed to mercury through contaminated air, water, food, or directly through the skin.

This recycling opportunity is a partnership between the Manitowoc County Recycling Center, the City of Manitowoc Wastewater Treatment Facility, the City of Two Rivers Wastewater Treatment Facility, Manitowoc County UW-Extension and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Mercury Drop-off Sites:

Mercury Switch Thermostats

Many old non digital thermostats contain mercury.  Tossing these old thermostats, or any other mercury containing device, into the garbage will contribute to mercury contamination.  The Manitowoc County Recycling Center accepts mercury containing thermostats year round as part of an ongoing mercury reduction program.  Drop off your thermostat at the Recycling Center Main Office located at 3000 Basswood Road Monday through Friday between 7am and 4pm.  Please leave the thermostat intact and when transport them, please cushion the item and place in a sealed container.

Improvements in heating system controls have rendered mercury thermostats inadequate.  Newer programmable thermostats can save money on heating and cooling costs.  When upgrading your heating system be sure to properly dispose of the old mercury thermostat.

These mercury switch thermostats have been in use since the 1950s and are commonly found in older homes.  Each thermostat can contain up to 3grams of mercury in a sealed glass bulb called an ampoule.  If this bulb is broken the mercury will spill out.  Mercury and other heavy metals can be a threat to human and environmental health when improperly managed.  Common sources of mercury, like thermostats, thermometers, light bulbs and electronics have no place in our landfills and should be properly recycled. 

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