Substitutes for mercury in products and mercury processes are available, cost-effective and safe. Waste management and stabilization processes can make mercury storage safe and ef- fective. Control technologies can capture emissions.
Society has the ability to make significant reductions in an- thropogenic emissions and releases of mercury without com- promising development and people’s livelihoods. The reduc- tion and eventual elimination of mercury as a commodity is not only desirable but possible.
Actions we need
Once emitted or released, mercury persists in the environment where it circulates between air, water, sediments, soil and liv- ing creatures. It can travel long distances to areas far from any production or use. Therefore actions need to be taken at the source whenever possible.
Reduce supply Stop primary mining as soon as possible and satisfy remain- ing demand by recycling. The demand for mercury for use in products and processes in the transition towards mercury free products and processes should be met preferentially from mercury reuse and recycling.
Reduce demand Viable, safe and commercial alternatives are available for almost all uses of mercury. Take actions that promote the tran- sition to mercury-free alternatives in product and processes. If it is not yet possible, reduce content of mercury in products. Move to non-mercury technologies in the chlor-alkali and vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) sectors.
Manage continuing use While mercury-added products remain in production and use, those products must be managed to avoid mercury releases.
Dispose properly Mercury not needed for remaining uses needs to be disposed of by environmentally sound means. Products containing or contaminated by mercury should also be managed in an envi- ronmentally sound way as they are turned into waste.
Reduce unintentional emissions and releases Mercury occurs as a trace contaminant in fossil fuel, metal ores and limestones used by industry. Therefore, industrial processes need to be optimized to reduce or eliminate mercury emissions and releases. Raw material selection and processing combined with existing air pollution control devices may provide cost- effective reductions of mercury emissions. Mercury captured by control technologies and mercury containing waste streams need to be managed in an environmentally sound manner.
Take holistic approach for artisanal and small- scale gold mining (ASGM) Significant reductions in mercury releases from ASGM can be obtained by introducing mercury-free techniques and low- cost mercury capturing devices that allow a high rate of recy- cling. Take-up of such techniques will depend on training min- ers that will need to take account of the wider socio-economic and development contexts of the sector.