PA DEP, County Sponsoring Mercury Collection Program

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has joined with the Crawford County, PA, Solid Waste Authority to sponsor a mercury collection program for residents and school districts.

 “Crawford County is the ninth county in northwestern Pennsylvania to host a countywide mercury collection in collaboration with DEP,” said Richard Neville, the DEP’s regional watershed manager. “The joint effort provides Crawford County citizens and schools with a no-cost opportunity to help protect their watershed and eliminate health risks. The collection also will provide an opportunity for school districts and homeowners to avoid the potential for costly cleanups associated with mercury spills.”

The mercury collection will take place Feb. 23-27. On those days, DEP employees will pick up the mercury and mercury-containing devices at homes and schools.

Items will be collected according to priority, which is given to those who have mercury in a container, broken containers of mercury or barometers, or those who have a significant number of devices (30-plus of thermometers and 12-plus of switches). Items that will be accepted are: containers of mercury; thermostats; barometers; switches; and thermometers.

DEP has collected more than 5,000 pounds of unwanted mercury from homes, businesses and schools in northwestern Pennsylvania in the past five years. The collected mercury is recycled at a permitted mercury-recycling facility.