Residents Reminded to Properly Manage 
Mercury-containing Items

As part of Earth Day activities (April 22), Kitsap County residents are reminded to properly manage household items that contain mercury. Many people don’t know that some common household items may contain mercury, which can pollute our air, land and water if they are improperly disposed. 

Products such as fluorescent tubes and bulbs, fever thermometers, thermostats, barometers, and switches from pilot lights and relays may contain mercury, which must be handled as household hazardous waste. 

Recycling these products at the Kitsap County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Facility is the best way to protect the environment. The HHW Collection Facility is open to residents Thursday-Saturday, from 10 to 4 pm. It is located in the Olympic View Industrial Park across Highway 3 from the Bremerton National Airport. Disposal of mercury products and other hazardous waste from households is free of charge.

Handle mercury items with care when transporting them to the collection site to avoid breaking. Thermometers should be sealed in a ziplock bag, and all mercury items should be in a leak-proof container and kept away from people and pets.

Exposure to mercury, a powerful neurotoxin, happens when improperly managed mercury evaporates into the air we breathe. Once it enters the water, fish can accumulate mercury in their bodies and become a source of mercury exposure to people and other animals that consume the fish. 

Over the past 6 years, the Washington State Department of Ecology has supported increased mercury awareness and collection, preventing more than 10,000 pounds of mercury and mercury-related products from being released to the environment. On Earth Day, April 22, Ecology will honor Kitsap County and other local governments for these ongoing efforts to prevent mercury from entering the environment.

Businesses must call The Open Line at 360-337-5777 to make an appointment.


Related Links:

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility http://www.kitsapgov.com/sw/modwaste.htm

More information about the effects of mercury exposure 
and what to do in a spill
http://www.kitsapgov.com/sw/mercury.htm

Department of Ecology Mercury Information
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/mercury/

Kitsap County Public Works
The Open Line
(360) 337-5777 or (800) 825-4940
openline@co.kitsap.wa.us