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Mercury-Containing Products

KC Waste Stream What's in your garbage? Seventy-five percent of materials thrown away are resources – not waste.

What is it?

Mercury is a silvery, heavy, odorless and highly toxic metal. It is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature. Mercury is used in items such as thermometers, barometers, lamps, batteries, thermostats, insecticides and vehicle switches.

Why recycle mercury?

It is very important that we keep mercury - either in its elemental state or as a compound - out of our environment because it is toxic affecting the brain, spinal cord, kidneys and liver. Recycling is the only proper means for disposing of mercury waste.

What can you do?

• Avoid purchasing products containing mercury unless necessary. Purchase non–mercury thermometers and low–mercury light bulbs.
• Ask for white (composite) dental fillings instead of “silver” amalgam fillings.
• Dispose of mercury–containing items at the Wastemobile or a Household Hazardous Waste Facility.
• Recycle mercury-containing items at recycling collection events. Be sure to place the items and anything that has been in contact with mercury in a sealed, marked plastic container before dropping it off.
• Replace your mercury-containing blood pressure unit, replace the mercury one with a fluid–free unit.
• Install a programmable thermostat. Most non–digital thermostats contain mercury.

See What Happens to Your Recyclables in this 10 minute video (Please choose your preferred video format) :

• Windows Media variable speed format (Windows Media Player required - free download available)
• Real Media variable speed format (RealPlayer required - free download available)

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