Handling Mercury
Mercury is an element that can be harmful to human health and the environment if not disposed of properly. It won't harm you or the environment as long as it stays inside the product and is handled properly when you are finished with it. Mercury can be found in a variety of household products like thermometers, thermostats, and fluorescent lamps.
Please handle mercury-containing products properly:
- Never throw glass thermometers, old thermostats, or fluorescent lamps in the trash.
- Store mercury-containing products in a safe place, such as an unbreakable plastic container, away from children and pets.
- Dispose of these products safely.
Fluorescent Lamps
All fluorescent lamps contain mercury. Even energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) contain a very small amount of mercury. Please bring all types of fluorescent lamps to the Manomet Transfer Station. Fluorescent lamps should be given to the attendants for proper storage.
Other Mercury Containing Products
Other products, such as barometers, blood pressure units, flow meters, cooking thermometers, mercury switches, and button cell batteries may contain mercury. These devices may be brought to the Manomet Transfer Station and given to the attendants there for proper storage.
Any elemental mercury (i.e., not contained in a device or product) should be brought to the Household Hazardous Waste Days.