Mercury Disposal Options
The mercury found in household products may be released to the environment at a number of different product life cycle stages — particularly during manufacturing or when the product is broken while in use, crushed in garbage trucks, dumped in landfills, or burned in incinerators.
Landfill disposal, which is currently the main method used to manage municipal solid waste in Ontario, can release mercury to the environment in two ways — through gaseous emissions to the atmosphere and through leachate migration in groundwater or streams.
Incineration of mercury-containing products results in organic mercury being emitted to the atmosphere. As noted in 2003 data from Environment Canada (Ontario Region), incineration accounts for approximately 200 kilograms of annual mercury emissions in Ontario. Once in the atmosphere, the mercury has the potential to be deposited in an aquatic ecosystem, where it can be converted to methylmercury and taken up through the food chain.
Therefore, it is essential that all mercury-containing products be recycled and disposed of in a responsible manner. Learn more about existing disposal and recycling options in Ontario:
| show/hideSwitch the 'Stat
Switch the 'Stat is a residential and commercial thermostat exchange program. Summerhill Impact works with heating and cooling contractors and wholesalers to encourage the installation of energy-efficient programmable thermostats, while simultaneously diverting the older mercury-containing thermostats from landfill to a safe storage facility. Participating contractors and wholesales provide the installation and removal services and also act as collection points for 'do-it-yourselfers'.
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| show/hideSwitch Out
Switch Out is a national program designed to remove, collect, and manage mercury-containing convenience lighting switches and anti-lock braking system sensor modules in end-of-life vehicles before they are flattened, shredded and recycled into new steel. Summerhill Impact works directly with automotive recyclers and dismantlers to provide training materials and collection resources. When Canadians are ready to retire their old vehicle they should visit the program website to find a participating recycler or dismantler, who will ensure the mercury switches are removed before the vehicle is crushed and recycled.
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| show/hideOntario Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste (MHSW) Program
This provincially-regulated program obligates the manufacturers or importers of mercury-containing products to pay for and/or operate collection and recycling programs. Phase 1, which began in July 2008, includes single-use batteries, and Phase 2, which is will come into effect in July 2010, includes mercury-containing lamps, switches (from appliances and vehicles), and measuring devices (such as thermometers and thermostats).
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| show/hideRetail Programs
There are a number of retail locations across Canada that provide collection options for mercury-containing products. The Home Depot will take back old CFLs and batteries and Rona and Ikea will take back old CFLs.
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Switch the 'Stat is brought to you by Summerhill Impact,
part of the Summerhill group of companies.
© Copyright Summerhill 2010