Middlesex County will sponsor a mercury thermometer exchange from noon to 4 p.m. on May 15 at the facility of the county’s consumer electronics contractor, Hesstech, 45 Executive Ave., Edison.
County residents may turn in their old mercury fever thermometer and receive a new mercury-free digital thermometer, free of charge. Thermometers should be returned in their storage case. If the mercury thermometers do not have a storage case, residents should deliver them in a zippered plastic storage bag.
The thermometer exchange is intended to remove mercury from the municipal waste stream and to educate county residents about the potential hazards posed by mercury found in thermometers.
One new digital thermometer per household will be provided (while supplies last), regardless of the number of mercury thermometers dropped off.
The exchange is being held in conjunction with the county’s drop-off event for consumer electronics. Residents may also drop off computers and related accessories, televisions, fluorescent lamps and other mercury-containing devices (irons, thermostats) at Hesstech. The consumer electronics drop-off program is held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every first Saturday of the month and from noon to 4 p.m. every third Monday.
Registration is not required. For more information, call the county Division of Solid Waste Management at (732) 745-4170 or e-mail [email protected].