We encourage recycling and reducing the amount of these wastes that are disposed of in an inappropriate manner. Please see the universal waste collection programs below.
1. The Thermostat Recycling Corporation pays $5 each for mercury thermostats returned through HVAC wholesalers and participating retailers. To prevent mercury pollution, recycle your mercury thermostats. Just bring your old mercury thermostat to your local participating hardware store for an in-store $5.00 credit, or to an HVAC wholesaler to receive a receipt to be followed by a check in the mail for $5.00 for each mercury thermostat you turn in for recycling. See http://www.maine.gov/dep/mercury/hgthermo.html for more information on this program and the participating locations. The closest locations for Orono residents are listed below:
- Aubuchon Hardware: 486 STILLWATER AVE. OLD TOWN, ME 04468
- Many locations in Bangor and Brewer
2. The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation takes back Nickel Cadmium, Nickel Metal Hydride, Lithium-Ion and small sealed lead acid rechargeable batteries. Call2Recycle offers a free recycling program for rechargeable batteries, including those from power tools, in laptops and tablets, and other portable electronic products. The program also accepts cell phones, and small sealed lead acid batteries. These items are collected at participating retail stores, businesses and governmental agencies. See http://maine.gov/dep/waste/recycle/battery.html for more information on this program and a directory of participating locations. The closest locations for Orono residents are listed below:
- Bangor: Lowes, Staples, Home Depot
3. The Automobile Manufacturers take back mercury switches from motor vehicles when they are dismantled. There are two separate programs, one for passenger vehicles including pickup trucks and one for medium and heavy-duty trucks.
a. Passenger Vehicle Program. In Maine, automobile companies pay for the collection and recycling of mercury switches. Auto dismantlers can sign up with the End of Life Vehicle Solutions (ELVS) program to receive a free collection bucket and $4 for each switch collected.. Go to http://maine.gov/dep/waste/motorvehiclerecycling/documents/auto-switch-non-participantoutreach1-2017.pdf for more information.
b. Medium and Heavy Truck Program. The Truck Manufacturers Association on behalf of their members operates the truck program. The White & Bradstreet facility in Augusta serves as the consolidation facility for this program. Dismantlers of medium and heavy-duty trucks can take their mercury switches along with their log sheets to the White & Bradstreet facility and receive a $4 bounty per switch.
4. E-waste Program. The Electronics Manufacturers' Take Back Program takes televisions, computer monitors, desktop printers, game consoles, e-readers, and tablets from households, K-12 schools, and businesses (for profit & non-profit) with 100 or fewer employees. See http://www.maine.gov/dep/waste/ewaste/index.html for more information on this program.
5. Mercury-added lamp (fluorescent light bulb) program. Go to https://www.maine.gov/dep/waste/productstewardship/recyclemercurylamps.html for information on the free recycling program for all types of fluorescent light bulbs from households only.
6. Architectural paint recycling program. This program offers free recycling of interior and exterior architectural coatings (both latex and oil-based) sold in containers of 5 gallons or less that is unused but intended for painting components of houses or other buildings. There are convenient drop-off locations across the state, and the program offers a large volume pick-up service to help contractors clean out stockpiles of old paint. Go to http://maine.gov/dep/waste/productstewardship/paint.html for more information. Below are the closest locations for Orono residents to take less than 5 gallons of paint.
- Aubuchon Hardware: 486 STILLWATER AVE. OLD TOWN, ME 04468
- Sherwin-Williams: 625 BROADWAY. BANGOR, ME 04401