Pioneering program educating Ontarians about how to identify and divert mercury-containing products

Scout Environmental has expanded Mercury Roundup: a ground-breaking program that educates Ontarians on the dangers of mercury — a toxic heavy metal — and empowers them to bring mercury-containing products to their local household hazardous waste facilities for safe recycling. With generous funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Scout partnered with the Region of Peel on a program pilot in 2016. The City of Peterborough and the City of Barrie joined in 2018, and together these three municipalities have collected over 670 mercury-containing items to date. Scout Environmental plans to expand Mercury Roundup to four more municipalities by 2021. 

Mercury is a naturally occurring substance, a good conductor of electricity and the only metal that is liquid at room temperature. As such, it is used in the production of button batteries, fluorescent tubes, and compact fluorescent lighting (CFLs). It was also once used in the manufacture of thermostats, thermometers, blood pressure monitors, and a variety of switches used in residential, commercial, and industrial applications. These older items still linger in people's basements, garages, and storage units, and are often accidentally thrown into the garbage. 

Mercury contamination carries a substantial threat to human and ecosystem health, as witnessed in the First Nations communities of Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong (Whitedog) in Ontario. Exposure to small amounts can have toxic effects on the nervous, digestive, and immune systems, and on lungs, kidneys, skin, and eyes. It can also contaminate soil and water and cause catastrophic damage to our natural ecosystems. Humans have increased the base level of mercury contamination in the global environment by 300%, so it's vital to minimize the improper disposal of all mercury products.

Mercury Roundup works directly with participating municipalities to collect and safely manage these items. Visit MercuryRoundup.ca to see a full list of items that may contain mercury and what to do in the event of a spill. If you are interested in having your municipality join the Mercury Roundup program, contact Scout Environmental Program Manager Kasper Franciszkiewicz at [email protected]. 

Scout Environmental is an award-winning organization that engages the public, guides industry, and empowers communities to make better choices — for their health, and the environment. For nearly two decades, Scout has delivered measurable solutions, transformed behaviour, and helped both public and private sectors see beyond sustainability. Visit www.scoutenvironmental.com to learn more.

As an agency of the Government of Ontario, the Ontario Trillium Fund is one of Canada's largest granting foundations. With a budget of over $136 million, it awards grants to some 1,000 projects every year to build healthy and vibrant Ontario communities. For more information about the Ontario Trillium Fund, please visit www.otf.ca.