Get the Mercury Out Days Planned

August 17, 2004
Dave Radisewitz at 294-5358
County Executive

On August 24th, 25th, 27th and 28th, Dane County, the City of Madison, and the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District are sponsoring “Get the Mercury Out Days” at the Clean Sweep facility located at 2302 Fish Hatchery Road in Madison. We are asking people go through their houses and look for common household items such as thermometers, thermostats, electrical switches and fluorescent lamps that contain mercury. When mercury containing items are broken, burned, or tampered with, the mercury can be released in the air of your home. Breathing air that contains mercury can cause nerve and kidney damage. Fluorescent lamps can be brought to any florescent lamp retailer in Dane County or to a local lamp recycler such as PKK Lighting, BJ Electric, and Midwest Lamp Recycling. All other mercury containing materials can be brought to the Clean Sweep facility from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. If you bring in your old mercury fever thermometer, we will give you a new digital thermometer free of charge as long as supplies last. We are also encouraging local dental offices to bring in mercury containing amalgam for disposal. Clean Sweep accepts non-contact amalgam chair-side traps, vacuum pump filters, amalgam sludge, and empty amalgam capsules by appointment only on Wednesday mornings. Clean Sweep does not accept extracted teeth. Dental offices area eligible to participate in our Small Business Collection Program by filling out an on-line application at www.danecountycleansweep.com or by contacting the Clean Sweep Coordinator through the information line at 294-5366. The cost for amalgam disposal is $7.50 per pound. Please remember that leaving materials at the site when it is closed is illegal and can lead to a $2000 fine. The Clean Sweep Program provides an opportunity for residents of Dane County to safely dispose of household hazardous materials, free of charge. The Product Exchange is a program for residents to take, free of charge, the high quality and usable products brought into Clean Sweep. The Small Business Collection Program accepts materials from small businesses and local units of government. The Agricultural Clean Sweep Program is available for farmers and agricultural-related businesses. To find out more about any of the Clean Sweep programs, please refer to our web site at www.danecountycleansweep.com, or call our information line at 294-5366. # # #