Portland Press Herald news story
AUGUSTA — Gov. John Baldacci has signed into law three bills that take steps toward reducing the volume of mercury that’s discarded in Maine.
A new law will ban the sale of button cell batteries that contain mercury and consumer products that contain button cell batteries as of July 2011.
Another new law will take initial steps toward recycling old cell phones, which contain lead, mercury and other materials that can pose health risks if released into the air, water and ground.
The law requires the state to report on the effectiveness of current cellular telephone recycling collection programs in Maine and also calls for legislation next year.
A third bill signed Monday by Baldacci requires the annual reporting of the volume of mercury amalgam supplied to dentists in the state.
