- Town Projects
- Recycling & Solid Waste
- Recycling Options
- Mercury Recycling
Mercury Recycling
There are common household items that contain mercury. Despite mercury being a natural element, it is harmful to the environment and should be disposed of properly and not with household solid waste. Weston’s Transfer Station takes these items separately so they can be disposed of and recycled properly. The cost to do so is reimbursed by the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection.
Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFL), rechargeable and button batteries, old thermostats, glass thermometers (with the silver liquid) all contain mercury. At Weston’s Transfer Station, there is a cart near the solid waste compactors designated for batteries and fluorescent light bulbs that contain mercury. If you have an old thermostat or thermometer, or anything else that you suspect may contain mercury, give it to one of the attendants for proper placement.
Step Up Recycling - click for more
Properly recycling mercury-containing items helps protect the environment and further reduces our household solid waste tonnage. Please be sure to take a few moments to separate all your recyclables. By keeping recyclables out of the solid waste compactors, we can save our natural resources, protect the environment, and help keep the permit fee cost from increasing.
Further Eliminating Mercury - Switch to LED
Many made the switch to energy-efficient light bulbs by installing CFLs in their light fixtures. But using Energy Star certified LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs can save even more and they are mercury-free. Learn more from MassSave.com and the chart below. Look for special deals on Energy Star certified LED bulbs in local stores to help make the switch easier.
| LED | CFL | Incandescent | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifespan in hours | 10,000 | 9,000 | 1,000 |
| Watts (= 60) | 10 | 14 | 60 |
| Cost per bulb | $2.50** | $2.40 | $1.25 |
| Daily cost* | $.005 | $.007 | $.03 |
| Annual cost* | $1.83 | $2.56 | $10.95 |
| Cost for 50k hours @ $.10 kW h | $50 | $70 | $300 |
| Bulbs needed for 50k hours | 5 | 5.5 | 50 |
| Total cost for 50k hours per bulb price | $62.50 | $83.20 | $362.50 |
| *assuming 5 hrs/day @ $.10 per kW h **look for specials from Mass Saves |