However, fluorescent bulbs contain mercury, a highly toxic metal. Did you know that mercury added (labeled) items have been banned from Vermont landfills since 1999. As of July 1, 2007, ALL mercury products (whether labeled or not) will be banned. It is extremely important that these bulbs (and other hazardous products) are disposed of properly. Fluorescent bulbs (and other hazardous products) are collected at the SWAC household hazardous waste collections. Visit Vermont's Mercury Reduction Campaign website (www.mercvt.org) and the Agency of Natural Resources website at http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/ead/sbcap/pdf/fs_mercurylamps.pdf for more information. Some True Value and Ace Hardware stores in Vermont accept up to 6 fluorescent bulbs for FREE. In Rutland County, contact:

Williams True Value, Bob Williams, Poultney, Vermont, at (802) 287-5791

Noble ACE Hardware, Matt Philo, Rutland, Vermont, at (802)773-2758

Rotella Building Materials, Inc., Virginia Gilman, Rutland, Vermont, at (802) 775-4383.

Visit Vermont's Mercury Reduction Campaign website (www.mercvt.org) for more information.

Also check out the mercury spills or fluorescent light bulb breakage sheet , the Compact Fluorescent Bulbs fact sheet, and the Mercury Spills fact sheet.

MERCURY FOUND IN BUILDING DEMOLITION: Mercury can be found in various devices in residential buildings. When a mercury-containing product breaks and the mercury is spilled, the exposed mercury can evaporate and become an invisible, odorless toxic vapor. To prevent mercury releases, these products should be used and stored safely, and managed properly at the end of their useful lives. This fact sheet specifically addresses pre-demolition removal of mercury-containing gas pressure regulators, mercury-containing boiler heating systems, and thermostats. For information on proper removal and management of other mercury-containing products in homes, go to www.epa.gov/osw/hazard/tsd/mercury/con-prod.htm.

MOTOR OIL & FILTERS: Used motor oil and oil filters are accepted at many garages in the area as well as at all Household Hazardous Waste Events. At the events, there is no charge for SWAC residents.

PAINT: Unwanted oil-based paint is accepted at Household Hazardous Waste Events. No fee for SWAC residents. NOTE: Small quantities of latex paint (one quart or less) may be solidified and discarded as trash. Remove the lid and allow the paint to dry OR add kitty litter to speed up the process.

PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS: Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products as Pollutants (PPCPs) refers, in general, to any product used by individuals for personal health or cosmetic reasons or used by agribusiness to enhance growth or health of livestock. PPCPs comprise a diverse collection of thousands of chemical substances, including prescription and over-the-counter therapeutic drugs, veterinary drugs, fragrances, and cosmetics. Studies have shown that pharmaceuticals are present in our nation's waterbodies. Further research suggests that certain drugs may cause ecological harm. The EPA is investigating this topic and developing strategies to help protect the health of both the environment and the public. PPCPs have probably been present in water and the environment for as long as humans have been using them. The drugs that we take are not entirely absorbed by our bodies, and are excreted and passed into wastewater and surface water. With advances in technology that improved the ability to detect and quantify these chemicals, we can now begin to identify what effects, if any, these chemicals have on human and environmental health. In most cases, unwanted prescription medication should be placed in the trash. There are three exceptions:

Head lice shampoo - accepted at Household Hazardous Waste Events. No fee for SWAC residents.
Chemotherapy drugs - return to pharmacy or cancer clinic
Anti-neoplastic medicine - return to pharmacy or cancer clinic

NOTE: Please do not flush unwanted medication down the drain. It may disrupt your septic system or the water treatment facility. Visit www.epa.gov/ppcp for additional information. New guidelines are now available.

PRINTER & TONER CARTRIDGES: The SWAC transfer stations/recycling centers are equipped with collection boxes for injet, dot matrix and laser jet printers. Some printer and toner cartridges can be refilled. To learn more about this option, contact the manufacturer.

PROPANE TANKS:Please contact the Rutland County Solid Waste District for disposal options.

SCRAP METAL: Scrap metal includes most bicycles, desks, filing cabinets, book shelves, VCRs, grills, lawn furniture, and any item that is at least 80% metal. The type of metal is not important. Scrap metal is accepted for recycling at most of the SWAC transfer stations/recycling centers. Please contact your town office for more specific details. Salvage yards also accept scrap metal..

SMOKE DETECTORS: Most smoke detectors contain radioactive materials and should NOT be disposed of as trash. Smoke detectors are not accepted at any SWAC facility or household hazardous waste event. To properly dispose of these items, send them back to the manufacturer. The name and address is usually found on the back of the unit. These links will give you information on how to properly manage your smoke detctor. Visit http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/wastediv/HHW/SmokeDetectors.htm as well as http://www.mcmua.com/hazardouswaste/faq_smoke_detectors.htm for additional information.

First Alert brand smoke detectors may be sent to: First Alert/BRK Attention: Recycling 3920 Enterprise Court Aurora, Illinois 60504

SPORTING GOODS: Used sporting goods in good condition are accepted at some local stores for resale. For a listing look in the Yellow Pages under Sporting Goods.

STYROFOAM: Styrofoam is not accepted for recycling at any SWAC facility. Styrofoam should be discarded as trash. Styrofoam packaging peanuts are accepted at no charge at a variety of local businesses for reuse.

SYRINGES & NEEDLES: THE PROBLEM: Syringes, lancets, and other sharp items used to treat diabetes, allergies, and other medical symptoms, are called "sharps". Discarding loose sharps into the trash can hurt people. Anyone who handles the trash may be stuck accidentally. Used sharps can transmit germs. Diseases, such as Hepatitis B, can result from someone being accidentally stuck.

THE SOLUTION: A safer way to dispose of sharps is to use plastic bottles. The #1 PETE soda bottle is recommended because it is more puncture resistant than most other types of plastic bottles commonly found in the home. The PETE bottles are identified with "1" inside a triangle of arrows. the symbol is usually located on the bottom of the container. Label an empty #1 PETE soda bottle with the warning: "DOT NO RECYCLE!" Pre-made labels may be available at your local pharmacy or doctor's office. If not, you can make your own at home. Store Carefully. Put each of your used sharps into the bottle. Store the bottle out of reach of children. Seal. Put heavy tape over the closed bottle cap when the bottle is full. Dispose of the filled bottle in your household trash. Now your sharps are in a container that protects people from being stuck and is unlikely to break open on its way to the landfill.

TELEVISIONS: As of February 17, 2009, television stations stopped broadcasting analog signals over the airwaves and switched over to digital signals. This meant many old tvs are obsolete and consumers had to purchase a digital set-top converter box or a brand new TV in order to get over the airways reception.

Effective January 1, 2011, Vermont enacted legislation implementing a landfill ban on most electronic products and effective July 1, 2011, requiries manufacturers to take responsibility for paying for recycling of some of these products. Televisions, computers, monitors, printers, and peripherals are required to be collected for FREE from residents, charitable organizations, schools, and businesses with less than 10 employees..

Unwanted televisions and other electronics can be recycled through the Electronics Collection Program at SWAC recycling facilities/transfer stations. There may be fees associated with recycling or disposal. Contact your town office for further information.

Check out this great site for recycling and reusing - Real Estate Resources: A Guide to Recycling" - http://sanibelrealestateguide.com/recycling/