Onondaga County wants to keep mercury thermometers out of the landfills. As an incentive to rid of them safely, homeowners will get gift cards and a new digital thermometer if they turn in their old mercury thermometers or thermostats on September 13.
The Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency is partnering with Reworld to safely collect and discard thermometers carrying the toxic heavy metal.
If accidentally inhaled, mercury vapors can permanently injure the central nervous system and kidneys.
The exchange is only open to Onondaga County residents. One gift card is offered for each registered resident who brings a mercury-containing thermometer or thermostat, regardless of the number of items dropped off. Thermometers or items not containing the silver of gray mercury substance will not qualify for the gift card or replacement thermometer.
The swap takes place from 8-11a.m. at Miller Environmental Group, Inc. located at 532 State Fair Blvd. in Syracuse.
