Liquid Mercury Switches

[hobo finds]

A neighbor moved and gave me a few pounds of copper and about a pound of mercury switches. anyone know of the price of Mercury at a scrap yard or do I need to dispose of it at a hazardous waste place?

[Dr. Cadmium]

Most scrap yards do not deal in elemental mercury because of EPA, state and/or other regulations. In some states it's completely illegal to buy and sell, and many others have restrictions. Common loopholes include selling it for research, manufacturing or medical use.

Walking into a typical scrap yard with a jar full will get you nothing but trouble.

It's actually a shame, because elemental mercury is very valuable - if you can find a buyer. However, I don't think it's not worth the trouble when there are so many other obscure metals that are easier to find, store and trade that won't get you in trouble with the law.

If you find it in a switch or similar device, keep the unit intact. Any loose quicksilver needs to be stored sealed in an air-tight container, glass or thick plastic. Most metal containers are unsafe, as mercury can eat through them.

Store it safely until:

1) You can find a legal, safe and affordable method to turn it in for recycling. A lot of hazardous waste places will charge to take it or will not accept it.

2) You find a buyer for it.

[galenrog]

when you get enough switches to fill a USPS medium flat rate box, shoot me a PM and we might be able to do business. I do not use mercury, but I do have a conduit to industrial users.

[CrazyTom]

Air conditioning parts stores will take old mercury thermostats when you buy an electronic one.