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How to Dispose of a Mercury Thermometer
Check local acceptanceNo consumer payout; HHW disposal is typically freeLast reviewed October 20, 2026
Quick answer
Take an intact mercury thermometer to a household hazardous-waste collection site or local mercury take-back program. Never put one in curbside recycling, and never vacuum or sweep a broken thermometer. Move people and pets away, close doors to the rest of the home, use cardboard, an eyedropper, and tape to collect beads on smooth surfaces, and keep exterior ventilation going for at least 24 hours. Follow local instructions for the debris. Before you go, confirm that a local recycling center accepts the material in its current condition.
- Recycling route
- Check locally
- Typical value
- No consumer payout; HHW disposal is typically free
Glass fever thermometers containing elemental mercury. EPA recommends household hazardous waste (HHW) collection for households, a different, less formal channel than the 'universal waste' category that applies to business and industrial generators of the same devices.
Where to Recycle
- County or municipal household hazardous waste (HHW) collection facilities
- Local mercury collection or exchange events (some pharmacies participate)
- Earth911.com's recycling locator, for finding a nearby option
How to Prepare
- 1Handle carefully; don't tap, shake, or drop it
- 2Store an intact thermometer in a rigid, sealed container until you can take it to a collection site
- 3Find your nearest household hazardous waste (HHW) collection program or local mercury take-back event
- 4If it breaks: move people and pets out, close doors to the rest of the home, ventilate outside, and never use a vacuum or broom
- 5On a smooth surface, use cardboard, an eyedropper, and sticky tape to collect beads; keep exterior ventilation going for at least 24 hours and follow local instructions for cleanup debris
Special Instructions
For households, EPA points to household hazardous waste programs, not the formal 'universal waste' regulations, which apply specifically to businesses and other RCRA-regulated generators handling the same kinds of mercury devices. A handful of states go further than federal guidance; Vermont, for example, bans all mercury-containing waste, including household-generated waste, from landfills outright, so check your state if you're unsure.
Environmental Impact
Mercury is persistent and bioaccumulates in food chains, and even a small glass thermometer holds enough to be a genuine hazard if it breaks in a home. Recycling through an HHW program recovers the mercury for reuse in industrial applications instead of letting it enter landfill or wastewater.
Official guidance and resources
Accepted items and drop-off rules can vary by location. Check the destination before you go.
What’s Accepted
Accepted
- Mercury fever thermometers
- Mercury laboratory thermometers
- Other mercury-containing household instruments (older thermostats, barometers)
Not Accepted
- Digital or electronic thermometers (recycle as e-waste instead)
- Alcohol-filled glass thermometers (usually red liquid, not mercury)
Donation & Take‑Back Options
Estimated value: No consumer payout; HHW disposal is typically free
Hazardous Components
- Elemental mercury (neurotoxic; hazardous if the thermometer breaks)
FAQs
What do I do if I break a mercury thermometer?
Move people and pets out, close doors to the rest of the home, and ventilate outdoors for 5 to 10 minutes before cleanup. Don't vacuum or sweep. After collecting the beads and debris as EPA directs, keep outside ventilation going for at least 24 hours and follow local instructions for the sealed cleanup materials.
Is a household mercury thermometer 'universal waste'?
Not in the way that term is used legally. Universal waste is a federal category for how businesses handle certain hazardous items. Households route the same devices through household hazardous waste programs instead, though the destination facility is often similar.
Can I just keep an old mercury thermometer instead of disposing of it?
You can, but a digital thermometer is safer, and some states restrict mercury thermometer sale or possession. If you do keep one, store it somewhere it can't be knocked over or broken.
How do I dispose of a mercury thermometer?
Seal an intact thermometer in a rigid container and take it to your county household hazardous waste site or a local mercury take-back event. The Earth911 locator lists nearby options. Never put one in curbside recycling. If it breaks, move people and pets out, ventilate outdoors, and collect the beads with cardboard, an eyedropper, and tape instead of a vacuum or broom.
Related recycling guides
- How to recycle Digital Thermometers
- How to recycle Blood Pressure Monitors
- How to recycle Wheelchairs and Mobility Aids
- How to recycle Medical Plastics
- How to recycle CPAP Machines and Accessories
- How to recycle X-ray Films
- How to recycle Hearing Aids
- How to recycle Prosthetics and Medical Implants
- How to recycle Contact Lenses and Cases
- How to recycle IV Bags and Tubing
Recycle mercury thermometers
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