§ 23-24.9-9. Disposal ban. [Effective until January 1, 2020.] (a) Except as otherwise provided for in this chapter, after July 1, 2006, no person shall dispose of mercury-added products in a manner other than by recycling or disposal as hazardous waste. Mercury from mercury-added products may not be discharged to water, wastewater treatment, and wastewater disposal systems except when it is done in compliance with local, state, and federal applicable requirements.

(b) If a formulated mercury-added product is a cosmetic or pharmaceutical product subject to the regulatory requirements relating to mercury of the federal Food and Drug Administration, then the product is exempt from the requirements of this section.

(c) This section shall not apply to: (1) anyone who disposes of a mercury-added button cell battery; or (2) mercury-added components as contained in motor vehicles except as provided in subdivision 23-24.9-10(b)(2) and in accordance with such regulations as may be adopted by the department in order to achieve the purposes of subdivision 23-24.9-10(b)(2); and (3) households disposing of lamps and products containing lamps.

(d) The restrictions on the disposal of mercury-added components in motor vehicles shall be as set forth in subsection (a) of this section effective January 1, 2006, and shall be implemented as provided for in subdivision (c)(2) of this section and subdivision 23-24.9-10(b)(2).

(e) The restrictions on amalgam waste recycling and disposal shall be implemented as provided for in § 23-24.9-9.3.

(f) Any contractor who replaces a mercury-containing thermostat from a building shall recycle the thermostat using its own collection container provided by thermostat manufacturers, or deliver the mercury-containing thermostat to an appropriate wholesaler, retailer or local government collection for recycling.

(g) Any contractor who demolishes a building shall remove any mercury-containing thermostats from the building prior to demolition and shall deliver the mercury-containing thermostats to an appropriate wholesaler, retailer or collection location for recycling.

(h) Any person who replaces a mercury-containing thermostat from any location in the state that is participating in an energy efficiency and/or weatherization program supported or administered in whole or in part by any department, agency, instrumentality, or political subdivision of the state or conducted as a result of any statutory requirement, including but not limited to, demand-side management pursuant to § 39-2-1.2, or least-cost procurement pursuant to § 39-1-27.7, shall deliver the mercury-containing thermostats to an appropriate wholesaler, retailer or collection location for recycling.

History of Section. (P.L. 2001, ch. 234, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 318, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 235, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 328, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 70, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 81, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 266, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 268, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 556, § 2; P.L. 2010, ch. 131, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 145, § 1.)