Montana Mercury Task Force
In the fall of 2005, WVE initiated and convened a statewide task force to address proper disposal, recycling and alternatives to mercury-containing products. The task force includes members of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, the local water quality districts, the Public Health Department, the Montana Dental Association, the Extension Service, Trout Unlimited, and private business.
The primary goal of the task force is to educate consumers about proper disposal of mercury-containing products.
The task force has partnered with Ace Hardware stores around the state in an effort to educate people about mercury-containing thermostats. Nearly 20% of the stores we contacted agreed to post a warning sign where thermostats are sold, informing consumers that the product should be properly disposed of. Of these stores, 57% have agreed to start a recycling program in their stores and 29% stores have decided to discontinue the sale of the thermostats altogether. Now the task force is looking at creative solutions for mercury-containing light- bulb recycling around the state.
Additional Resources:
WVE in the Washington Post