Thermometers: Difference between revisions

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Created page with "Older thermometers often contain mercury. Mercury is a dangerous substance and the disposal or sale of mercury thermometers is covered by hazardous waste restrictions. ht..."
 
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Older thermometers often contain mercury. Mercury is a dangerous substance and the disposal or sale of mercury thermometers is covered by hazardous waste restrictions.  
Older thermometers often contain mercury. Mercury is a dangerous substance, and disposing of or selling mercury thermometers is covered by hazardous waste rules.


https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/481145/LIT_7498.pdf  
See [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/481145/LIT_7498.pdf this guidance] (pages 8-9):


Page 8 and 9 says
:'''Waste management''': measuring devices containing mercury are classed as hazardous waste. To dispose of them, you'll need to have them removed by a registered waste carrier to a permitted waste disposal site. This does not endorse any particular disposal process or contractor.
'''Waste Management'''


Measuring devices containing mercury are classed as hazardous waste. If you want to dispose of measuring devices that contain mercury, you will need to have them removed by a registered waste carrier to a permitted waste disposal site. Please be aware that we do not endorse any particular disposal process or disposal contractor.  
:'''Domestic mercury waste''': mercury should not be disposed of in household waste. If you're a householder, your local authority can advise on how and where to dispose of your waste measuring devices, or you can search business directories for hazardous waste disposal contractors.


'''Domestic mercury waste'''
There are exemptions for devices over 50 years old, but unless there's some indication that the thermometer offered or requested isn't working, or will be used for something other than measuring, it should be fine to accept - perhaps with a mention of hazardous waste if there's any concern.


Mercury should not be disposed of in household waste.
See also this [https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/t/mercury-thermometers Discourse discussion].


If you are a householder, your local authority can advise you on how and where to dispose of your
Link: [[Specific Items]]
waste measuring devices. Alternatively, search business directories for hazardous waste disposal
contractors.


The following links may be useful.
[[Category:Handling Specific Items]]
www.gov.uk – search for ‘hazardous waste’ and/or ‘household waste’
 
 
There are exemptions for devices over 50 years old, but it's probably easier and clearer on Freegle groups to just not allow them to be offered or requested.
 
 
Link:  [[Specific Items]]
[[category:Specific Items]]

Latest revision as of 12:00, 17 July 2026

Older thermometers often contain mercury. Mercury is a dangerous substance, and disposing of or selling mercury thermometers is covered by hazardous waste rules.

See this guidance (pages 8-9):

Waste management: measuring devices containing mercury are classed as hazardous waste. To dispose of them, you'll need to have them removed by a registered waste carrier to a permitted waste disposal site. This does not endorse any particular disposal process or contractor.
Domestic mercury waste: mercury should not be disposed of in household waste. If you're a householder, your local authority can advise on how and where to dispose of your waste measuring devices, or you can search business directories for hazardous waste disposal contractors.

There are exemptions for devices over 50 years old, but unless there's some indication that the thermometer offered or requested isn't working, or will be used for something other than measuring, it should be fine to accept - perhaps with a mention of hazardous waste if there's any concern.

See also this Discourse discussion.

Link: Specific Items