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Mercury
Government Resources
Washington State provides a number of resources to assist local
government in mercury reduction and education. This
includes education and outreach tools.
Additional resources are available from federal agencies,
non-profit organizations, and businesses. Information on
resources specifically for businesses is available on our
Mercury in Business site.
Resources are in three categories:
o
Progams and Projects
Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Thermostat
Recycling
Project
DOH
received a grant from the U.S. EPA in October 2004 to promote the recycling of
thermostats through the use of the Take Back Program offered
by the Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC). There are
currently seven counties active in the program. For further information on this program and how to
encourage businesses in your community to participate,
TRC project description.
Washington State Purchasing Contracts
The
Washington State General Administration (GA) Department has
negotiated several State Purchasing Agreements that include
pre-arranged contracts for handling hazardous waste,
collection, recycling and disposal of fluorescent bulbs. Local
governments, schools and non-profits are all eligible to use the
state purchasing contracts for hazardous waste items. Using the
GA contract is often more cost effective and safer than
individual cities, counties, or school districts arranging their
own method of disposal. For information about these purchasing
contracts, contact the
Washington State General Administration.
Green Businesses
Green businesses are on the rise and are continually
increasing their viability by offering safe,
energy-efficient alternatives to traditional products.
Cutting-edge technology and environmentally friendly
products make a good team. There are a number of
resources available for businesses looking for support
in going green.
The EnviroStars Program, run by the King County Local
Hazardous Waste Management Program, provides certification for
businesses that follow environmentally sustainable and sound
practices. EnvironStars has compiled a listing of companies,
dentists, professionals associations, manufacturers, and
reuse/recycling resources. The program covers not only King
County, but also Jefferson, Kitsap, Pierce, and Whatcom
Counties. For a copy of the list and more information about
this program, visit the
EnviroStar's
Web site.
Resource Venture promotes commercial recycling
through the City of Seattle» s Chamber of Commerce. The
Chamber» s program provides free information and assistance
to help companies set up recycling programs. The Chamber
also promotes waste prevention and recycling to its members
and the Seattle business community through its Hotline
(206-389-7304). Through the hotline and via follow-up
materials, the staff has provided technical assistance to
over 8,000 Seattle companies. Resource Venture also conducts
waste consultations or site visits. Various companies have
benefited from their individual attention regarding detailed
recommendations on ways of improving waste management and
procurement practices. One of the most notable
consultations was the nine-month project to help the Seattle
Mariners baseball team set up a stadium-wide waste prevention
and recycling program. Visit
Resource Venture's Web
site.
Businesses in King
County seeking advice on their hazardous wastes can call the
Business Waste Line: 206-296-3976. This is an anonymous,
confidential hotline for businesses.
Health and
Environmental Databases
There are several health and environmental databases that can be
used by cities and counties as they plan their mercury reduction
efforts:
Haz-Map
Occupational Health Database is a tool provided by
the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of
Health. It is a searchable database offering specific
information on possible effects of exposure to chemical and
biological agents used in industry, on the job, and at home.
The types of available information include: Hazardous Agents,
Industries, Occupational Diseases, Job Tasks, High Risk Jobs,
Processes, Hobbies/Activities, and Symptoms/Findings. Hazardous
Agents can be searched by type of agent, adverse effects, or
from an alphabetical list. the agent is then described briefly
with information about its chemical formula, properties,
synonyms, adverse effects, and exposure assessments.
Occupational Diseases and High Risk Jobs have similar searchable
categories.
TOXNET
is another resource provided by the National Library of
Medicine and the National Institute of Health. It is a cluster
of databases on toxicology and hazardous chemicals and includes
links to Haz-Map and other NLM resources. There area 10
searchable databases and eleven other NLM links which hold a
wealth of information.
Ecology Solid Waste Information Clearinghouse
The
Washington State Department of Ecology is developing a database
that will allow easy access to a wide variety of solid and
hazardous waste government personnel by city and county. That
database will be available via Web 2006.
Other External Resource Links
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