WAYNE, Mich. — The Environmental Quality Co. (EQ) is partnering with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Mercury Collection Project. This is an ongoing effort to collect and properly recycle mercury. Small and large business operations have traditionally been overlooked during mercury collection events. The project’s objective is to address this issue and promote a long-term solution for easily collecting and recycling mercury. The program is free to anyone located in Michigan — residents included.

Upon request, EQ will send a free collection bucket with a shipping box to the requestor’s door via common carrier. Each bucket will contain easy-to-follow return instructions. Once the bucket is filled with the mercury-containing device(s), the requestor applies the return label (provided with the bucket), securely tapes the box, and places it where the designated shipper normally picks up packages at that location. EQ will facilitate recycling the mercury-containing device(s).

Most mercury items can be returned through this mail-back program. Some examples of eligible mercury-containing devices include: thermostats, thermometers, gauges with silver-colored liquid inside, dental amalgam, hydrometers, etc.