How can you tell if your thermometer or thermostat contains mercury?
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| Mercury thermometers have SILVER, METALLIC GREY or BLACK filling in their bulbs. Any other color filling indicates it is a non-mercury thermometer and it may be thrown in the trash at the end of its life. | Mercury thermostats have dials or levers that you need to manually adjust. If you take their faceplate off and see one or more sealed glass capsules containing a silver substance, you have a mercury thermostat. |
If you have mercury thermometers or thermostats you can bring them to OCRRA’s Ley Creek Drop-Off Site, year-round and receive a $5 Lowe's gift card as a reward*.
As an added bonus for keeping harmful mercury objects from the waste stream, Onondaga County residents will receive a mercury-free thermometer in the mail.
When you arrive, you will:
- Give your (unbroken) thermometer or thermostat to the attendant.
- Fill out a card with your name and address
- OCRRA will mail you a new mercury-free thermometer and gift card - courtesy of Covanta!
The thermometer exchange program is made possible through a partnership between OCRRA and Covanta, the operator of the local Waste-to-Energy Facility. A portion of the program cost is also underwritten by a grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Find a list of other locations that accept mercury THERMOSTATS in the community.
If you have a broken thermometer or other mercury containing device, follow these steps:
- Place all parts in an airtight container and seal it.
- Make an appointment for OCRRA’s Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Program.
- Maximize your appointment by bringing other household toxics to your appointment drop off too.
* One gift card per resident drop-off, regardless of number of items turned in.
Drop-off Locations
