FACTS about MERCURY
Mercury Thermometers and
Thermostats are accepted at the MRF

Alternatives to
Thermometers/Thermostats
Digital
Dental Amalgam & Fillings
Ask dentist about other treatments
Auto light switches in hood & trunk
Ball bearing switches
(Available for about $1)

 

Mercury Items:
Barometers & Manometers
Alternatives are available
Some nasal sprays, ointments,
contact lens solutions.
Read labels, avoid products with
Thimerosal, phenylmercuric acetate,
merbromim

One fever thermometer contains about 1/2 gram of mercury, enough to contaminate a 10-acre lake.  A home thermostat contains about 3 grams of mercury.  Every waterway in Wisconsin has been issued a Fish Consumption Advisory due to mercury contamination.  Mercury is released into the environment by burning fossil fuels or when products containing mercury are landfilled, incinerated or released into water systems.  Bacteria in lakes and rivers converts mercury to a more toxic form called methyl mercury, which is absorbed by plankton and fish and bio accumulates through the food chain.

Battery Disposal Guide
Battery Type Common Name Size Available Examples of Use Proper Disposal
Alkaline
Manganese

 Coppertop, Alkaline


 AAA, AA, C, D, 6V, 9V

 Flashlights, Calculators, Toys, Clocks, Smoke Alarms & Remote Controls Place in Trash
Button



 Mercuric Oxide, Silver Oxide, Lithium, Alkaline, Zinc-Air Sizes Vary



 Watches, Hearing Aids, Toys, Greeting Cards, Remote Controls

 Collected at MRF (Recycling Center)
Carbon Zinc





 "Classic", Heavy Duty, General Purpose, All Purpose, Power Cell


 AAA, AA, C, D, 6V, 9V




 Flashlights, Calculators, Toys, Clocks, Smoke Alarms & Remote Controls, Transistor Radios, Garage Door Openers

 Place in Trash
Lithium

 Usually has "Lithium" Label on the battery 3V, 6V, 3V Button

 Cameras, Calculators, Computer Memory Back Up Collected at MRF (Recycling Center)
Nickel Cadmium (Rechargable)

 Either Unlabeled or Labeled "Ni-Cd"

 AAA, AA, C, D, 6V, 9V

 Flashlights, Toys, Power Tools, Cell Phones, Computer Packs Collected at MRF (Recycling Center)
Reuseable Alkaline Manganese (Rechargeable) Renewal



 AAA, AA, C, D



 Flashlights, Calculators, Toys, Clocks, Radios, Remote Controls

 Place in Trash
Sealed Lead Acid (Rechargeable)



 "Gel", VRB, AGM, Cyclone, Dynasty, El Power, Gates, Lithonia, Saft, Panasonic, Yuasa Multiples of 2 Volts: 2V, 6V, 12V


 Video Cameras, Power Tools, Wheelchairs, ATV's Cameras, Metal Detectors, Clocks

 Collected at MRF (Recycling Center)
NOTE: Several Pharmacies & Department Stores will take back used batteries at their photo department.  Ask if yours does.

 

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