Exchange of mercury thermometers by digital thermometers

Mercury thermometer contains between 0.5 to 3 g of elemental mercury. The objectives of this action were to conduct a campaign to exchange mercury thermometers by digital thermometers, sensitize the population for the danger of mercury, allow for a proper referral of such waste, and prevent it from occurring in the urban waste, and thus their transport to landfills or incineration. This action is not aimed at quantitative but qualitative waste reduction, in order to reduce the hazardous waste from municipal solid waste. In 2009, the exchanging thermometers campaigns were performed in two Parishes with different types of people. A typical rural, Sao Pedro de Rates, which belongs to the Municipality of Póvoa de Varzim and another with urban characteristics, Baguim do Monte, which belongs to the Municipality of Gondomar. The campaigns for exchanging mercury thermometers by digital thermometers were available for the general population. Those who had an old mercury thermometer, and intended to get rid of it, could go to one of the Parish Councils who participated and made the change. The population might make its thermometers exchange at the Parish Councils, during office hours during working days. 250 digital thermometers were delivered to each Parish Councils to be exchanged for free, whether the mercury thermometer was still operating or not. These campaigns were accompanied by a leaflet, adverts in local newspapers, posting on the Board's own website and advertising spots on local radio. Their mercury thermometers were collected by an entity duly licensed and accredited for that purpose, and forwarded to the appropriate final treatment, also a licensed entity. In 2010, there were also campaigns for exchanging mercury thermometers by digital thermometers. Given the success of campaigns in 2009, in 2010 the project was extended to 5 Parishes with different features (Barca, Lordelo do Ouro, Junqueira, Santa Cruz do Bispo, Guifões). 1000 digital thermometers were distributed among the five parishes.

Results:

• Number of thermometers exchanged/recovered in 2009: 410 (240 Baguim do Monte; 170 in S. Pedro de Rates) = 82% of available/distributed digital thermometers (500)
• Number of thermometers exchanged/recovered in 2010: 334 (0 Barca; 85 Lordelo do Ouro; 118 Guifões; 58 Santa Cruz do Bispo; 73 Junqueira) = 33,4% of available/distributed digital thermometers (1000)

In terms of campaigns dissemination, a bookmark was designed including two informative essays, one on the effect of mercury in the environment and human health and the other pointing good habits to reduce waste. This marker was delivered together with the digital thermometer at the moment of the exchange. Posters were also displayed on the Parish Councils to publicize the measure and used for the same purpose, along with the sites of their own joints. Unlike in 2009, no radio spot advertising was produced in 2010.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
E-mail: info@lipor.pt
Tel Number: +351 22 977 01 00

General data

Waste prevention activity data