Southeast Missourian

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is sponsoring a monthlong effort to rid homes of mercury by forming partnerships with local agencies to accept items containing the metal.

Mercury dropoff buckets will be placed throughout February at the Cape Girardeau Fire Department's station No. 1, 1 S. Sprigg St.; the Bollinger County Health Department, 107 Highway 51 North, Marble Hill; the Perry County Health Department, 406 N. Spring St., Perryville; and the Sikeston Department of Public Safety Fire Station No. 1, 301 N. West St., Sikeston.

Items containing mercury such as thermometers and blood pressure gauges will be accepted; compact fluorescent light bulbs will not. The department asks that people place the items in two zip-top bags, then inside a sealed container such as a coffee can or plastic tub.

For items too big to transport, call 573-634-2436.