Business

Canadian Springs

Mercury is found in many household, school and business products, from electronics to cosmetics to cleaning supplies. When mercury is discarded it leaches from the many common consumer products into the environment and can have many harmful effects on humans and wildlife. Reducing the purchase and use of mercury-containing products will help to reduce the amount of mercury pollution in the environment.

Business Takeback Programs

Takeback programs retrieve mercury-containing products from consumers and ensure that the mercury is isolated, properly recycled and is kept out of the environment where can pose health risks to humans and the environment. Takeback programs are sponsored by manufacturers and/or retailers of mercury-containing products. Some programs are partnerships between the manufacturers, retailers, local governments and trade associations.

A number of businesses are already producing healthier products that yield better environmental and economic impacts. Six case studies of companies making innovative products while eliminating toxics are described in Healthy Business Strategies for Transforming the Toxic Chemical Economy, a 2006 report by Clean Production Action. It is often difficult to determine safer alternatives to commonly used toxic chemicals.