Pa. County To Hold Thermometer Collection, Electronic Recycling Event

“Thermometers and electronic equipment should be disposed of properly,” Eric Thumma, DEP’s deputy secretary for Pollution Prevention and Compliance Assistance, says. “This collection program supplies a great one-two punch to help rid the waste stream of potentially hazardous materials.”

York County residents who turn in a mercury fever thermometer will receive a coupon for a free digital fever thermometer courtesy of participating Shurfine Markets in York County.

The mercury fever thermometer collection program will continue during the month of April at the authority’s Management Center during regular weekday business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The thermometer program will conclude at the authority’s spring Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program on Saturday, May 3. That event will be at the Dover Township Municipal Building, 2480 W. Canal Road, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“DEP wants to thank the York County Solid Waste Authority for holding this event,” Thumma says. “Other organizations can use this as a model for developing their own mercury fever thermometer collection programs.”

The April 5 event will also feature a one-day collection of electronic equipment. York County residents may bring up to three of each type of electronic equipment. Equipment that will be accepted includes personal computers, laptops, printers, televisions, radios, stereos, microwave ovens, mobile phones, VCRs, telephones and telephone equipment.

“DEP is seeking to promote the reuse and recycling of outdated and obsolete electronic equipment,” David Allard, acting deputy secretary for Air, Recycling and Radiation Protection, says. “Reusing and recycling electronic equipment not only makes economic use of valuable electronic components, but it also conserves landfill space.”

DEP will reimburse the York County Solid Waste Authority for up to 50 percent of its eligible costs associated with the electronic collection program. Typically, eligible costs include collection, transportation, management and public education.

“We’re challenging people to e-cycle because it’s important to divert electronic equipment from the waste stream,” Gregg Pearson, the authority’s program coordinator says. “Heavy metals such as lead and mercury that are used in many electronic products have environmental consequences.”