This CANNOT go in your household bins or to landfill.
Mercury is a highly toxic silver liquid metal that ‘shatters' into tiny balls, so take great care when cleaning it up.
The poisonous vapour is the main threat. Mercury can become quite a potent neurotoxin which affects human and animal health.
When products containing dangerous amounts go to landfill, they can easily contaminate the groundwater and release toxic compound.
In the home, mercury may typically be found in the following:
- hand-held thermometers (not generally available anymore)
- ambient outside temperature thermometers
- compact fluorescent lamps (CFL or fluoro light globe)
- desk mounted sphygmomanometers (used to monitor blood pressure)
- barometers.
If containing mercury, you can take these items to a FREE hazardous waste drop-off at:
Adelaide Waste and Recycling Centre
181 Morphett Road
North Plympton
Ph: 08 8295 5077
Open: Monday to Friday 7am–4pm, Saturday 8am–3pm, Sunday 10am–3pm.
OR
Heathfield Resource Recovery Centre
32 Scott Creek Road
Heathfield
Ph: 08 8339 4323
Open: Monday to Friday 7.30am–4pm, weekends 9am–4pm.
In the case that you have a mercury spill:
If the spill is major, do not clean it by yourself. Contact the Fire Department – call 000.
But if it is something that can easily be handled alone, then do the following steps:
- People and animals should leave the area immediately, staying clear ideally for a day whilst ventilating the area in the process.
- Wear proper protection such as heavy-duty gloves and boots to pick up glass shards. Afterwards, wrap them properly in a paper towel whilst also sealing the paper towel afterwards in a zip-lock bag.
- Find the mercury content (dim the area to more easily locate). Then you can apply sulphur powder (available at pharmacies) and wait for 30 minutes to neutralise the mercury. Make sure the mercury residue is gone and collect by brushing.
- Put the mercury content in a plastic bag, along with your gloves and any collection materials used and throw it into your household waste bin
- if the mercury has spilt onto carpet, clothing or upholstery, the contaminated part needs to be removed and disposed of.
Mercury that cannot be stabilised by sulphur powder or is stored in a jar is a hazardous waste and can only be disposed at a Hazardous Waste site.
When cleaning up mercury spills
- Do not use the vacuum cleaner or a broom to sweep up the mercury. Both of these can break the mercury into smaller beads and may spread the spill even further. The heat from the vacuum motor may also cause the mercury to volatise (evaporate into fumes), which will further spread traces of mercury around your home.
- Do not machine wash clothing that may have absorbed mercury with the normal laundry. Throw away contaminated clothing if possible, or wash clothing separately in a bucket.
- Do not pour mercury directly down the sink.