Mercury-free Colorado Campaign

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
has launched a mercury prevention and reduction campaign to
inform citizens, businesses and the medical industry about the 
serious health threat associated with exposures to mercury 
and to develop strategies to keep mercury out of our 
environment.  This cross-media initiative involves participation 
from both the environmental programs (air, water, waste and 
consumer protection) and health programs within the 
Department.  One of the driving forces for this initiative is to 
prevent unacceptable mercury levels in state rivers and lakes.
 

Recycle Your Compact Fluorescent Lights and
Mercury Thermostats!

All Ace Hardware stores in Colorado are
participating in a program to recycle compact
fluorescent lights and mercury-containing thermostats.

In addition, Holy Cross Energy and Alpine Bank have teamed-up to accept Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) for recycling at several locations in the Vail, Glenwood Springs and Aspen areas.  Please visit http://www.holycross.com/ and click on the Green Programs link on the left for a list of CFL bulb recycling locations.  No thermostats accepted at these locations.

Mercury Projects:

Automotive Mercury Switch Removal Program

Mercury Thermostat Recycling Program  - Now for household hazardous waste programs and certain installation contractors, too!

Special Projects:  Pueblo Mercury Reduction Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEP) Grants
 

Colorado Resources:

Fish Consumption Advisories

Small Mercury Spill and Fluorescent Bulb Cleanup Guidance for Businesses

Broken Thermometer and Fluorescent Bulb Cleanup Guidance for Households

Mercury in Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)

Search for a Colorado Thermostat Recycling Partner

Directory of Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Programs and Resources in Your Area
Many of these programs will accept mercury thermometers and a few will also accept thermostats, fluorescent lamps or other mercury-containing items.  If your city or county does not have a household hazardous waste collection program that accepts mercury-containing items, visit Management of Household Wastes for other options.

Other Resources:

List of Out-of-state Mercury Recyclers  

Mercury-containing Lamp Recycling   Exit to EPA

Mercury Topics:

Mercury - An Environmental and Health Issue in Colorado

A Closer Look at Mercury in . . .

     Homes  
     Schools - Exit this site
     Hospitals 
     Dental Offices
            The Proper Place for Dental Waste - A curriculum for dental schools created by
            the Kansas Small Business Assistance Program - Exit this site

Mercury-Related Websites:

US Environmental Protection Agency Mercury Homepage - exit to US EPA

Other Federal and State Government Mercury Pollution Prevention Efforts

Mercury Exposure and Your Health - Exit to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)

Mercury vapors on video  - Exit to State of Michigan Dept of Environmental Quality 
(right-hand column under Related Content)

If you have any questions or comments on alternatives to mercury or would like more information on the mercury campaign, please contact us at cdphe.hmmercury@state.co.us.