Household Mercury Collection Project in Windsor
Don't let your mercury harm our Detroit River
Mercury Collection Shifts Focus to Businesses
Starting on November 15, 2004, the DRCC will begin mailing out fact sheets to local businesses about the need to properly dispose of fluorescent light bulbs. A typical fluorescent light bulb releases between three and eight milligrams of elemental mercury vapour during the two-week period immediately following breakage. Businesses can make arrangements to have their spent bulbs picked up for recycling at a cost of only about 12 cents per foot. The mercury from recycled fluorescent light bulbs is reused to make new bulbs, while the glass is recycled into products such as fiberglass.
Click on the links below to view a fact sheet regarding businesses and fluorescent bulbs.
Fluorescent Bulbs: Facts for Businesses (Side 1)
Fluorescent Bulbs: Facts for Businesses (Side 2)
Mercury Collection a Success!
Although we don't have exact results, we have some rough numbers available from the questionnaires that people filled out when they brought items in and the mercury recycling centre. The following items were dropped off:
- at least 750 thermometers
- at least 100 thermostats
- 20 jars of elemental mercury
- 1,000 fluorescent light bulbs
- a variety of other mercury items, including batteries and switches.
This adds up to more than 200 pounds of mercury! Remember, it only takes a very small amount of mercury to contaminate the environment.
Lucky Prize Draw Winners!
Everyone who brought in any mercury was asked to fill out a questionnaire. All those questionnaires were put into a box, and winners were drawn at random for seven great prizes. The winners are:
- Grand Prize - Dinner for 2 and an Overnight Stay at the Vintage Goose B&B in Kingsville - Ms. I. Hamilton, Windsor
- $100 Garden and Nursery Centre Gift Certificate - Ms. M. Parent, Windsor
- DVD Player - Ms. K Dzibela, LaSalle
- Thermoscan Ear Thermometer - Ms. V. Glos, Windsor
- Solar-powered Garden Lights - Ms. F. Kelly, Windsor
- Book "Living World" - Mr. R. McAllum, Windsor
- DVD "Finding Nemo" - Ms. N. Del Col, Windsor
Publicity For the Project!
Look around for our project promotions! We were featured in the Solid Waste Authority's newsletter and in Our Windsor magazine. Project details could also be found in the CAW Ford Facts Newsletter and in the Windsor recycling calendar.
Click here to look at the ad that was in the Town of LaSalle's community newsletter in the LaSalle Silhouette. We've also been on various local television and radio broadcasts, and in the Windsor Star.
| Mercury Is Toxic. Mercury is a risk to the health of your family and the environment. It is contained in many common items such as thermometers, thermostats and fluorescent lights. |
Do the Right Thing. Dispose of your mercury items safely and for free at the HCW Depot. |