Division of Waste Management

Mercury is used in many everyday products like fluorescent lamps, thermometers, thermostats, blood pressure manometers and pleasure boat bilge pump float switches. Some of these products have an environmental benefit. For example, fluorescent lamps use less energy than traditional incandescent lamps. Unless they are recycled or otherwise disposed of properly, however, the mercury from these discarded products can contaminate the air, surface water and ground water.

Florida universal wastes include most rechargeable batteries; pesticides that are recalled or collected under a pesticide waste collection program; mercury-containing devices such as manometers and switches; mercury-containing lamps such as fluorescent lamps that