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All
mercury-containing devices are considered hazardous waste in California when
they are discarded, and it is illegal for anyone to dispose of hazardous
waste in the trash.
Mercury
contaminates our air, waterways, lakes, and ocean, a result in part from
improperly discarded mercury-containing devices, and industrial activities.
Mercury-containing devices include
mercury fever thermometers and other devices that contain liquid mercury,
such as older thermostats, pressure and vacuum gauges, counterweights,
mercury switches (e.g., some motor vehicle light switches), and novelties
with added mercury (e.g., some singing greeting cards and flashing athletic
shoes). All mercury-containing products in your home or business must be
disposed as hazardous waste when you are ready to discard them.
Glass tube
thermometers, with a red, blue, silver, or other colored stripe in the
middle to indicate temperature generally contain either mercury or alcohol.
If you do not know which substance is in a thermometer, do not break it
open to find out. Treat it as though it contains mercury.
Some other items
that might also contain mercury include jewelry, games, maze toys, and toys
that light up or make noise. To determine which of these items contain
mercury, call the Consumer Products Safety Commission’s hotline at (800)
638-2772.
There is NO COST for San
Joaquin County residents to drop off these materials at the HHW Facility for proper
disposal.
PLEASE DO NOT PLACE THESE ITEMS IN THE GARBAGE!
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Residents
Residents of San Joaquin County can utilize the following resources to
properly dispose of products containing mercury:
San Joaquin Household Hazardous Waste Facility
San Joaquin County residents can take mercury devices to the San Joaquin County Household
Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility for recycling and proper disposal.
Click on the HHW links below for more information.
San Joaquin County Solid Waste Facilities
San Joaquin County residents can take a limited
number of mercury devices to the San Joaquin County Solid Waste Facilities
for proper disposal.
For more information on material quantities accepted at solid waste
facilities and other details,
click here. For more information on San Joaquin County Solid Waste
Facilities click on the links listed below.
Businesses:
Businesses can utilize the following resources to properly
dispose of products containing mercury:
San Joaquin Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility
San Joaquin County small businesses that qualify for the Conditionally
Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CESQG) Program can deliver products
containing mercury to the San Joaquin County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Facility for a fee. Click on the "Small Business HHW" links below for
more information.
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