Are you prepared for Mercury Export Ban Act?

On January 1, 2013, the prohibition of the export of elemental mercury becomes effective as required by the Mercury Export Ban Act of 2008 (MEBA) which prohibits the export of elemental mercury from the United States to other countries.Hg

Use of mercury in the world market has continued as a result of the free trade of commodity grade elemental mercury. Much of this mercury is used in “artesian” gold mining operations in countries without health and environmental standards found in the United States. The U.S. Congress intended to reduce mercury availability worldwide by banning the export of U.S. mercury.

So what? How does this affect me?

Good question! Heritage will continue to transport and accept mercury containing materials as Universal Waste or Hazardous Waste in its many forms; elemental, contained in devices and products such as fluorescent light bulbs, amalgams, contaminated debris and soil, mercury salts, and aqueous solutions containing mercury.

For a more detailed explanation you can visit our FAQ page about MEBA on our website.  Or skip on over to our blog article about MEBA to comment or ask questions about this new regulation.

What types of materials will be affected?

Here are examples of some of the materials that will be affected:

• Elemental mercury
• Elemental containing devices; switches, barometers, relays, thermometers
• Elemental mercury containing medical devices
• Fluorescent lights, CFL, and mercury vapor bulbs
• Batteries
• Amalgams and alloys
• And more