Beyond Waste home > Navigate to a plan section > Recommendation MRW2 — Reduce threats from mercury

Recommendation MRW 2 — Reduce threats from Mercury. (Also related to Industries Initiative.)

Help reduce and eliminate mercury by supporting and implementing the Washington State Mercury Chemical Action Plan (WSMCAP). WSMCAP, part of a statewide long-term strategy for eliminating persistent bioaccumulative toxins, or PBTs, includes actions to decrease mercury from all sources. Some significant sources of mercury are in the moderate-risk waste arena. Addressing them is crucial to the success of the overall action plan. Specific actions that support the goals of the WSMCAP include technical assistance to businesses, education to businesses, households, and schools, and supporting a mercury collection, repository, and recycling infrastructure. We need to build on the growing momentum for product stewardship for mercury. This will result in long-term reductions of mercury in products and will reduce improper disposal of mercury-containing products and wastes.

Milestone MRW B: Product stewardship systems for fluorescent and other mercury-containing lamps, mercury thermostats, and other mercury-containing devices are in place. Mercury in biosolids continues to diminish.

Milestone IND R: The Washington State Mercury Plan has been fully implemented for hospitals, auto switches, and lamps. A national repository for mercury is in place, resulting in significantly less mercury in the environment.

Links and Resources

• Mercury
• Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5543 (Exit Ecology)

<-- Back              Next -->

Back to main initiative