Hillsborough County residents can exchange hazardous mercury-containing devices for a $5 grocery store gift card at Household Hazardous Waste collections through April 2015, while gift card supplies last. Collection events are held monthly on selected Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.:
- First Saturdayof the month – 9805 Sheldon Road in Tampa
- Second Saturdayof the month – 13000 U.S. Highway 41 in Gibsonton
- Third Saturdayof the month – 6209 County Road 579 in Seffner
Examples of mercury-containing devices that are eligible for a Money 4 Mercury gift card include thermometers, thermostats and switches. No commercial or business-related waste will be accepted. Gift cards are limited to one per eligible vehicle, while supplies last.
When a mercury-containing device is disposed of in a solid waste landfill or incinerator, the mercury can contaminate the air, surface water and groundwater. Residents are encouraged to always properly recycle mercury-containing devices at a hazardous materials collection site.
For more information about mercury collection events, visit www.HillsboroughCounty.org/Money4Mercury, contact Hillsborough County Solid Waste at (813) 209-3042, or email PUD-SpecialWaste@HillsboroughCounty.org.
Residents may also bring other household chemicals and hazardous wastes to the collection event for proper disposal, including compact fluorescent bulbs, other light bulbs and batteries; however, these items are not eligible for a gift card.
The goal of the Hillsborough County Solid Waste Management Division’s Money 4 Mercury program is to educate and safely manage mercury containing items. Funding for the program is provided in partnership with Covanta Hillsborough, Inc. and through a $5,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County Pollution Recovery Fund.