Do mercury thermometers last longer than other thermometers?

Where to Recycle Mercury Thermometers

• OK, this is a strange one. Last year I inherited a bunch of stuff from my uncle, and part of it includes several cases of old mercury thermometers. I know that these aren't used much anymore, and that it is dangerous to throw them out because of the mercury, but is there any value in recycling them. I tried my local government helpline, and they said to just bring them to the hazardous waste collection site; that seems like a waste. Are there companies that buy (or even just take without charging a fee) old mercury thermometers and recycle the contents?

• Answer:

  Hello mhutton2-ga, Minnesota has strict laws about the sales and disposal of mercury thermometers. It is illegal to sell or throw mercury thermometers in the trash. Each county has identified locations where you can drop off your mercury containing trash for free. There are two locations in Hennepin County, Brooklyn Park and Bloomington. Although none of the websites say so explicitly, based on the various government agency websites, I believe that the thermometers and other mercury containing devices that are collected at the various county waste disposal sites are eventually sent for recycling to companies that reclaim the mercury. Below I?ve listed a collection of links to help you get familiar with Minnesota laws and requirements about disposal of mercury thermometers. All the best. ~ czh ~ http://www.mepartnership.org/documents/HgIQfinal.pdf What is your Hg IQ? 12. What is the only legal way to dispose of products containing mercury in Minnesota? a. call your local solid waste office for drop-off and/or pick-up times b. return the product to the manufacturer c. place it in a labeled bag and leave it out with the rest of your trash d. there is no law, throw it in the garbage 12. a. call your local solid waste office for drop-off and/or pick-up times. For full language of the law, go to: www.moea.state.mn.us/berc/WMA-hg-01.pdf. For information on how to dispose of products containing mercury, contact your county solid waste officer for location and hours or call the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance at 1-800-657-3843. == http://greenguardian.com/throw2_mercury.asp In Minnesota, it is illegal to throw away a mercury thermometer - never put a mercury thermometer in your garbage, whether it is intact or broken. Take it to your county's household hazardous waste collection site. To find the collection site nearest you, go to the Household Hazardous Waste page. == http://greenguardian.com/throw_hhw.asp DISPOSAL GUIDE FOR HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE Refer to this list of some products typically used in, and around, the home. Unless directed to call first, take them to your county household hazardous waste collection site. 2. HENNEPIN COUNTY 612-348-3RRR (3777) a. Brooklyn Park: Recycling Center & Transfer Station 8100 Jefferson Highway TUES, THURS, FRI 10 AM - 6 PM WED 10 AM - 8 PM SAT 8 AM - 5 PM Closed Sundays, Mondays and holidays. b. Bloomington: South Hennepin Recycling & Problem Waste Drop-off Center 1400 West 96th St TUES, THURS, FRI 10 AM - 6 PM WED 10 AM - 8 PM SAT 8 AM - 5 PM Closed Sundays, Mondays and holidays. == http://hennepin.us/vgn/portal/internet/hcdetailmaster/0,2300,1273_10042401_100624451,00.html Disposal Mercury thermometers are accepted as a Household Hazardous Waste. If broken, put the thermometer in a sealed plastic or glass container, and bring to one of the facilities below. See RELATED LINKS for more information on the handling, storage and disposal of HHW. Fees Free of charge. Facilities Accepted at the Brooklyn Park and Bloomington Drop-Off facilities. See RELATED LINKS in the right navigation for facility hours, directions and general facility information. == http://www.pca.state.mn.us/publications/w-hhw2-03.pdf Collecting and Managing Household Mercury Thermometers == http://www.pca.state.mn.us/hot/legislature/reports/2002/mercury-appendix-c.pdf Mercury Thermometer Sales Ban The Office of Environmental Assistance developed a 2001 Session legislative proposal to prohibit the sale of most mercury thermometers in Minnesota. Two legislators also introduced mercury thermometer sales prohibitions. The legislature passed the most comprehensive language from these proposals. With a few narrow exemptions to cover legally required uses, products with no available alternative, and primary calibration standards, the sales prohibition became effective January 1, 2002 == http://www.moea.state.mn.us/p2/mercury.cfm Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance -- Mercury == http://www.mepartnership.org/sites/MERCURYFREEMN/sub_join.asp Mercury-Free Minnesota == http://www.mwsi.com/new/ReclamationServices.cfm Mercury Waste Solutions SEARCH STRATEGY recycle OR dispose mercury thermometer Minnesota