The Wisconsin Mercury Recycling Program

Background

While mercury has always been a commonly used liquid metal it is also extremely hazardous due to its toxicity. It accumulates in the environment in fish, wildlife, and eventually humans. A major source of mercury exposure is from consuming mercury-contaminated fish. This can cause nerve damage, respiratory problems and birth defects. The problem is so severe that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has issued fish consumption advisories for over 330 Wisconsin Lakes and Streams. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has named mercury as one of the priority pollutants of concern for the next several years. Their goal of these agencies will be to reduce all forms of mercury in the environment. For more information you can contact Randy Case of the Wisconsin DNR by e-mail: casec@dnr.state.wi.us.

Where It Can Be Found

Mercury, a silver liquid metal, is found in electrical switches, thermostats, dental amalgam, measuring instruments (thermometers, manometers, barometers, etc.), laboratory and medical equipment (blood pressure monitors). Items or compounds containing mercury should not be put in the garbage or poured down the drain.

The Wisconsin Mercury Recycling Program

The Wisconsin Mercury Recycling Program allows participants to recycle mercury and mercury-containing devices for free. The program encourages proper mercury disposal and thus reduces the amount of mercury going to landfills, sewers or directly to the environment.  The city of Appleton is proud to have participated in the program from September 1999 through December 2000. If you have questions concerning mercury disposal please contact Outagamie County Landfill.

Mercury on the Internet:

U.S. EPA Mercury Website - www.epa.gov/glnpo/p2/html#Table

Disposal Guide to Household Hazardous Waste - www.epa.gov/glnpo/p2/Lkwatchchtml