Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY — The Alachua County Hazardous Waste Collection Center has been chosen to participate in a pilot program to collect mercury thermostats from homeowners. The pilot program between Alachua County Environmental Protection Department and The Thermostat Recycling Corporation will accept all brands of wall mounted mercury thermostats. The mercury switches contained in the thermostat will be transported to a company for proper disposal.

Alachua County was one of a select few counties across the country invited to participate in the pilot program. There is no cost for dropping off the mercury thermostats; the intention of the program is to increase homeowners’ awareness of the heavy metal mercury that is contained in the non-digital thermostats, which has long lasting effects on the environment. Other mercury containing devices such as fever thermometers and fluorescent lamps are also accepted for collection.

The disposal location for mercury containing thermostats, as well as other household hazardous waste, is at the Alachua County Hazardous Waste Collection Center, located at 5125 NE 63rd Ave., approximately 2 miles north of the airport off Waldo Road.

From more information citizens can call the Alachua County Hazardous Collection Center at (352) 334-0440. Citizens can visit The Thermostat Recycling Corporation on the web at http://www.nema.org/gov/ehs/trc/.