A final rule that classifies mercury-containing equipment as universal waste will help eliminate mercury in the environment and encourage mercury recovery and improved, safe management of mercury waste.

Previously, unregulated households and some small businesses were not required to manage used mercury containing equipment as a hazardous waste, resulting in some mercury waste getting thrown in the trash.

Under this new rule, used mercury-containing equipment will be readily collected for recycling or disposal at a properly permitted facility.

Mercury-containing equipment includes various types of instruments that are commonly used in industry, hospitals and households, such as thermometers, barometers and mercury switches. Other items already managed as universal waste include batteries, thermostats and fluorescent lamps.

At mercury collection events over the last five years, DEP and local partners have collected thousands of pounds of mercury from homes, schools and business. In Erie, one collection event brought in over 1,200 pounds.

For more information, go to EPA’s disgarded mercury equipment rule webpage.

8/12/2005