Mercury & Mercury-Containing Devices - DSNY

New York City Department of Sanitation


ResidentsSchools & AgenciesGet Rid of …Containerization

Appliances
Automotive Waste
Batteries
Clothing, Household Fabrics, & Accessories
Construction Debris
Dead Animals
Electronics & E-Waste
Furniture, Mattresses, & Rugs
Gas Cylinders & Fire Extinguishers
Harmful Household Products
Ink & Toner Cartridges
Large Items
Light Bulbs
Medical Waste
Mercury & Mercury-Containing Devices
Metal, Glass, Plastic, & Cartons
Mixed Paper & Cardboard
Oils, Grease, & Fats
Plant, Leaf, & Yard Waste

Appliances

Automotive Waste

Batteries

Clothing, Household Fabrics, & Accessories

Construction Debris

Dead Animals

Electronics & E-Waste

Furniture, Mattresses, & Rugs

Gas Cylinders & Fire Extinguishers

Harmful Household Products

Ink & Toner Cartridges

Large Items

Light Bulbs

Medical Waste

Mercury & Mercury-Containing Devices

Metal, Glass, Plastic, & Cartons

Mixed Paper & Cardboard

Oils, Grease, & Fats

Plant, Leaf, & Yard Waste


Mercury and Mercury-Containing Devices

It is ILLEGAL to discard liquid mercury and devices containing mercury into the trash or recycling. Do not discard liquid mercury down the drain or toilet.

New thermometers and household medical equipment sold in NY State do not contain mercury.

A mercury thermometer can be easily identified by the presence of a silver bulb. (One exception to this is the new fever thermometers containing gallium, indium and tin that also contain a silver bulb but are clearly marked "mercury-free.") If the bulb is red, blue, purple, green or any other color, it is not a mercury thermometer.

Older devices that may contain mercury include:

Thermostats

Fever and basal thermometers

Oven, candy and meat thermometers

Indoor/outdoor thermometers

Laboratory thermometers

Temperature measuring devices in industrial applications

Blood pressure cuffs

Residential Mercury Disposal

It is ILLEGAL to discard liquid mercury and devices containing mercury into the trash or recycling. Do not discard liquid mercury down the drain or toilet.

Bring to a SAFE Disposal Event or contact an appropriate private hazardous/chemical waste company.

Business Mercury Disposal

New York State law requires wholesalers of thermostats to serve as collection sites for mercury thermostats. Thermostat retailers and HVAC contractors may choose to serve as collection sites.

Wholesalers, retailers, and HVAC contractors in NYS are all eligible to receive a free collection container from the Thermostat Recycling Corporation, which operates a program to collect and properly dispose of mercury thermostats.

When removing mercury thermostats, HVAC contractors should handle the thermostats separately from other items and place them in the collection container. Contractors who don't have their own collection bin can use a Thermostat Recycling Corporation drop-off location.

Learn more about managing mercury thermostats.