Do not place mercury or mercury-containing devices in your trash or recycling. Mercury can be hazardous to your health and the environment.
The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District offers a free year-round drop off for mercury and mercury-containing devices at their facility in Cuyahoga Heights. See details.
Household mercury items like thermometers and thermostats can be properly disposed of in the Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Program.
How to determine if your non-digital fever thermometer has mercury in It
Newer non-digital fever thermometers often use alcohol or a non-toxic compound that looks similar to mercury. Ask:
- Is the liquid in the thermometer any color other than silver? Then it is most likely alcohol.
- Is it silver? Then it may be mercury or possibly a non-mercury substance.
For details on cleaning up a mercury spill or broken thermometer, see these guidelines from the U.S. EPA.
Businesses must contract with a licensed environmental services company for proper disposal or recycling. See our Business Recycling Directory.