HOME > DEPARTMENTS > PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

Universal wastes

---

April 29, 2005

Have you ever heard of the term 'Universal Waste'? It's a fairly new thing. Universal waste are wastes that contain hazardous materials such as mercury, lead and other heavy metals, and are commonly found in homes, businesses and schools. What that means are items like televisions, computers, florescent light bulbs and anything that has mercury in it. Now, why is universal waste becoming so important? Well, these items, when thrown in regular trash, have potential to be landfilled and are harmful to the environment. Even in our case where our trash is burned, the mercury causes added air pollution that is harmful to many people.

Luckily for us, there are transfer stations in the area that are equipped to handle universal waste. Starting in January of 2005 it became mandatory for universal waste to be disposed of properly. Up until then, there were not too many facilities that were equipped to take in universal waste. In Saco, and several others in the area, we were ahead of the game. Because of the mercury, universal waste needs to be kept separate and locked up away from other wastes. Crushing fluorescent light bulbs releases mercury into the air. Keeping them boxed up keeps us safe from the harmful things inside of those bulbs.

Because of the pollution factor of these universal waste items, there's a fee involved with disposing of them. I know, there's fees associated with throwing away anything. But if you think about the cost of mercury on the side of the road because someone didn't feel like paying to get rid of his or her television, it most likely is going to cost more than $13.00 to clean up the mercury.

The good news is, starting in January of 2006, companies are going to be held accountable for the waste that televisions and computer monitors create. Any household generated television or computer monitor's disposal will be cost free to the household that they come from. The State of Maine is the first ever to come up with a program like this. By making manufacturers responsible for the disposal of their products, this could lead to a push for more environmentally friendly products. You will still be able to bring your used televisions and computer monitors, but you will no longer have to pay the fee associated with disposal and the city will not have to pay for the shipping of these items. I know I've been saying disposal, but these items are being recycled. There are many parts within these televisions and computer monitors that can be reused in other electrical components.

Please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions by email: swojcoski@sacomaine.org or at the Public Works Office at 282-1552. Please let me know if it's ok to mention your name in the article. Keep recycling, it may seem costly, but the environmental benefits far outweigh the disposal fees.