OCRRA hosts event on safe disposal of mercury-containing devices and vaporizers

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK — The Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency hosted a mercury and e-cigarette collection event, giving Central New York residents the opportunity to properly dispose of mercury thermometers, thermostats and vaping devices.

Devices containing mercury require special handling for disposal, according to OCRRA, they should never be disposed of in roadside trash or recycling bins. If not handled properly, mercury can be harmful to humans and wildlife. Vaporizers with batteries can cause fires, especially if damaged. Safe disposal protects workers and equipment.

Those who participated in the campaign received a $10 Lowes gift card, and those who returned a thermometer received a digital thermometer in return.

Mercury thermostats have levers or knobs to change the temperature. If you remove the faceplate and see a glass capsule with a silver substance, it contains mercury. Do not remove or break the capsule. If your thermostat is digital/programmable, it is not eligible for recycling and can go in the trash.

Mercury thermometers have tubes filled with silver, metallic gray, or black. Other colors indicate that the device is mercury-free and can be thrown away.