Community Mercury Reduction

The Wisconsin Community Mercury Reduction Program is an important example of a DNR/community source reduction partnership. Seventeen Wisconsin communities: Appleton, Ashland, Eau Claire/Appleton, Green Bay/De Pere, Kaukauna, Kenosha, La Crosse, Madison/Dane Cty, Manitowoc, Marinette, Milwaukee, Neenah/Menasha, Racine, Superior, Waukesha, Wausau/Stevens Point, and Wisconsin Rapids/Marshfield are actively involved. The objective of this program is threefold:

• To foster the use of non-mercury alternatives, such as digital thermometers;
• To promote recycling of mercury-containing products that continue to be used, such as fluorescent lamps; and
• To reduce the potential for mercury spills and the huge potential cost of spill cleanup.

This program identifies mercury uses within the local community. It educates the various mercury-users about alternative products, as well as mercury product recycling. It provides for program monitoring, and it promotes mercury reduction success. All of these activities are carried out in partnerships between the technical, outreach, and public service partners within a given community.

The program depends on public education and partnership, rather than regulation and compliance mandates, and, it doesn't focus separately on mercury releases to the water, air, or solid waste stream.

Questions about Wisconsin Community Mercury Reduction programs?

Randy Case
608/267-7639

For more information, please check out the Mercury pages.