Back to Recycling "In The News"
By Alina Perez-Smith, Recycling Committee (07/01/2006)
Beginning July 1 new state laws requiring households to recycle household Universal Waste go into effect. Universal wastes contain hazardous materials such as mercury, lead, and other heavy metals. Such heavy metals are harmful to our health and the environment. For example, Maine has fish consumption advisories due to mercury pollution, lead is a major cause of developmental delays in young children, and PCBs are known to cause cancer in humans. Universal wastes in your home are much more common than you might think. Here is a list of items and what to do with them.
Computer Monitors and TVs
Cathode ray tubes (CRT) in computer monitors and TVs. CRTs are the largest source of lead in today’s waste stream – Save for E-waste or HHW collection.
Mercury switches and devices
Fever and cooking thermometers, thermostats, weather barometers, and blood pressure cuffs. Mercury switches can be found in sump pumps, old chest freezers, and some gas appliances – Save for E-waste or HHW collection.
Fluorescent Bulbs or Ballasts
Fluorescent, neon, mercury vapor, metal halide, high intensity discharge, and high pressure sodium lamps. Basically all light bulbs except an old-fashioned incandescent – Save for E-waste or HHW collection.
Rechargeable Batteries or Button Batteries
Metal hydride, nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cad), small sealed lead acid, lithium, and mercuric and silver oxide button batteries. These are sometimes found in children’s toys, light-up shoes, and hearing aides – Save for E-waste or HHW collection.
Each town in Maine is responsible for ensuring that there is a place for residents to recycle their universal wastes. According to Public Works Director, Bob Malley, Cape Elizabeth will comply by holding an E-waste collection in early October, 2006 (for computer monitors, TVs, thermometers, and fluorescent bulbs) and a general Household Hazardous Waste (“HHW”) in early May, 2007.
Remember: Do not leave computer monitors or TVs in the Swap Shop. There isn’t space to deal with these hazardous items, and they can’t be placed in the hopper anymore. Everyone’s cooperation is necessary to keep the Swap Shop open. If you can’t wait for the E-waste or HHW collection to dispose of a computer monitor or TV, visit the recycling Web pages (www.capeelizabeth.com/recycle) to find alternative disposal sites and more information on recycling.